Most people in America acknowledge that there are certain standards they are expected to live up to. For many, this is a wonderful and dignified belief. Although, in some cases people can be so preoccupied with the ideal that it becomes a burden. They are thus unable to accomplish their dream. There are two specific essays that portray this idea, one is by Howard Fuller entitled "A salesman is Everybody" and another by Harold Clurman entitled "The Success Dream on the American Stage." Both essays state opinions about the American Dream and its relation to Death of a Salesman in which the main character, Willy Loman, lives by his own ideal, which in the end causes his downfall. Willy's life revolves around chasing his ideal of the American dream rather than actually living it. This pursuit contributes to his deficiency in finding success in his life, and why he fails to live out his American dream.

Willy Loman has lived his life in a quest for the American dream. Harold Clurman states that, "Death of a Salesman is a challenge to the American dream."

"The American dream has become distorted to the dream of business success." Willy Loman is looking for an easy way to become ric

Willy's quest for the American dream ultimately leads to his death but leaves us with a hope for Biff to find his place in society. Whether or not he will accomplish what society calls the "American dream" is not the point, Biff realizes his fathers ideals were false and decides to set a new path for himself. He now has freedom from his father's spurious ideals. Opportunity lies ahead and Biff has a chance to find his "true self," with a little inspiration from the American dream.

If the true essence of the "American dream" is simply freedom and opportunity for all, then why do many Americans want to get rich quick? If you ask many Americans, the majority would say their ideal is to make lots of money and certainly not by working hard for it. Perhaps Willy Loman had the right dreams, but over time set the wrong goals for himself. Up until the end, he believed "life's problems are all solved by making oneself well liked (in the salesman sense) and by a little cash." "Cash" is what society revolves around, and what eventually caused Willy's breakdown and suicide.

"Willy's enthusiasm, which is manifested in the slogans he sets such great store by, is not governed by intelligence." If he were

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Approximate Word count = 817
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)