Death of a Salesman: American Dream vs American Reality
Over the years, people have flocked from foreign nations to rejoice in the diversity of America. They come with the hopes and dreams of money and the silver screens. However, many are faced with the brutal reality of hardship, rather than the fairytale ending of a famous millionaire. A song by Toshihiko Takamizawa captures the generalized immigrant realization, "Chasing after the dream/ Pride goes before the fall/ In the end will I find/ It's a mirage after all?" (American Dream, Takamizawa) Takamizawa's quote questions the tangibility of the American Dream. Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman examines the clashing of American Dreams against American Reality through the eyes of Happy, Willy, and Biff. Happy loses himself to the unattainable American Dream and therefore forebodes his own failure through his delusions. Happy, always living in the shadow of his brother, grows up to assume the role of his father. His warped concept of success is formulated by Willy's advice. Willy tells the boys in a flashback, "The man who makes an appearance in the business world, the man who create
Biff emerges from the golden boy facade to the quintessential working-class male. Willy pushes Biff onto this pedestal as the popular star that most parents place their children on. Biff reveres his father's words until he catches Willy with another woman. Since the encounter, Biff retreats inwardly in his desolation, without anyone to turn to. His inner conflict arises when Biff attempts to work but finds he cannot rise to the top position automatically. Biff even says, "I never got anywhere because you blew me so full of hot air I could never stand taking orders from anybody!" (131) Biff's allegation affirms his hatred for his father, and also the presence of Willy's influence on Biff's standards, regardless. Over time, Biff comes to realize that his family has thrived on lies. s personal interest, is the man who gets ahead. Be liked and you will never want." (33) Willy bases success around popularity, which he passes on to Happy. Happy shows his equal level of delusions when he is talking to Biff about Oliver; "I bet he'd back you. 'Cause he thought highly of you, Biff. I mean,
Some common words found in the essay are:
Meanwhile Happy's, American Reality, American Dream, Biff Oliver, , Willy Loman, Death Salesman, Toshihiko Takamizawa, Happy Happy, Takamizawa Takamizawa's, american dream, death salesman, american reality, i'm gonna,
Approximate Word count = 733
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
