The American Dream
"The man knew what he wanted and went out and got it! Walked into a jungle and comes out, the age of twenty-one, and he's rich!"
Many different ideas about the ‘American Dream’ are prominent throughout the play; Death of a Salesman. The protagonist, Willy Loman believed that success was obtainable through being popular however; this proves untrue when he has nothing to show for this by the end of his life. Willy’s brother; Ben exaggerates the ease of becoming wealthy quickly with little effort and Willy buys into this idea, however what Ben actually does to achieve his ‘success’ is not shown.
Due to the influence of Willy, his sons, Biff and Happy also bought into these unrealistic ideas of success which followed them to adulthood where they practise bad ethics such as sleeping with taken women and stealing. By the end of the novel however, Biff decides that in order to be successful he must do what he enjoys and that this was the key to happiness.
On the other hand, a different perspective of the American Dream is presented through Charley and Bernard who have worked hard in order to achieve what they want. For example, although Willy had often mocked Bernard for studying hard, Bernard turns out to be an important lawyer with children. As this was always Willy’s aspiration for his sons, it shows that hard work is the often key to success and that the American Dream is often unobtainable just through ‘dreaming’. Again, this is shown through Linda is realistic and only wishes for stability. Although she can be materialistic, Linda’s optimism shows that happiness often comes from within.
Due to the influence of Willy, his sons, Biff and Happy also bought into these unrealistic ideas of success which followed them to adulthood where they practise bad ethics such as sleeping with taken women and stealing. By the end of the novel however, Biff decides that in order to be successful he must do what he enjoys and that this was the key to happiness.
On the other hand, a different perspective of the American Dream is presented through Charley and Bernard who have worked hard in order to achieve what they want. For example, although Willy had often mocked Bernard for studying hard, Bernard turns out to be an important lawyer with children. As this was always Willy’s aspiration for his sons, it shows that hard work is the often key to success and that the American Dream is often unobtainable just through ‘dreaming’. Again, this is shown through Linda is realistic and only wishes for stability. Although she can be materialistic, Linda’s optimism shows that happiness often comes from within.
For more information, visit:
What is the American Dream?
http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-the-american-dream.htm#slideshow
The American Dream American Radioworks
http://americanradioworks.publicradio.org/features/americandream/
What Does the American Dream Mean to You?
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/business-economy-financial-crisis/two-american-families/what-does-the-american-dream-mean-to-you/
How Attainable Is the American Dream, Really?
http://www.learnvest.com/2012/07/how-attainable-is-the-american-dream-really/
http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-the-american-dream.htm#slideshow
The American Dream American Radioworks
http://americanradioworks.publicradio.org/features/americandream/
What Does the American Dream Mean to You?
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/business-economy-financial-crisis/two-american-families/what-does-the-american-dream-mean-to-you/
How Attainable Is the American Dream, Really?
http://www.learnvest.com/2012/07/how-attainable-is-the-american-dream-really/