Death Of A Salesman By Arthur Miller
The American dream is the belief that through tenacity and perseverance one can enjoy prosperity,wealth, and happiness. During the late 1940s, this term became popularized following the second world war. There were vast interpretations of the phrase to fit different lifestyles and expectations. Even for the destitute, the dream unlatched doors to contentment and happiness through the hope that there was a life that was filled with happiness and joy. James Truslow Adams defined the term as, “ a better, richer, and happier life for all of our citizens of every rank.” (Majid Salem). In the play, The Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, audiences and readers, are introduced to the protagonist, Willy Loman and his own denotation of the American
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In addition to a change in societal standards, the nation also experienced a modification in the economy. As a way to steadfast, Americans turned to the dream as a source for hope.However, Willy Loman, unlike many Americans believed in the vain ideology that success can be credited to an individual's likeness, “Oh, I’ll knock ‘em dead next week. I’ll go to Hartford. I’m very well liked in Hartford.(Miller 22)”. In this conversation with his wife Linda, Loman believed that if he traveled to Hartford, since he was liked there, he would be able to make money. He also believed that physical features were directly related to the level of success an individual was able to attain, “Willy is probably obsessed with personal appearance, because in his mind, he was convinced himself that he is destined for success”(Centola) .However even through this egoistical views, Loman even contradicted himself, “You know, the trouble is, Linda, people don’t seem to take to me. . . I know it when I walk in. They seem to laugh at me.” (Miller 23). In a sense, Loman knew his unrealistic views on the American dream had waned yet he failed to acknowledge how that was affecting everyone else around him. This failure to understand and discover a realistic way to correct his mistakes in a long run led to Willy’s own self destruction and his own untimely death by
In addition to a change in societal standards, the nation also experienced a modification in the economy. As a way to steadfast, Americans turned to the dream as a source for hope.However, Willy Loman, unlike many Americans believed in the vain ideology that success can be credited to an individual's likeness, “Oh, I’ll knock ‘em dead next week. I’ll go to Hartford. I’m very well liked in Hartford.(Miller 22)”. In this conversation with his wife Linda, Loman believed that if he traveled to Hartford, since he was liked there, he would be able to make money. He also believed that physical features were directly related to the level of success an individual was able to attain, “Willy is probably obsessed with personal appearance, because in his mind, he was convinced himself that he is destined for success”(Centola) .However even through this egoistical views, Loman even contradicted himself, “You know, the trouble is, Linda, people don’t seem to take to me. . . I know it when I walk in. They seem to laugh at me.” (Miller 23). In a sense, Loman knew his unrealistic views on the American dream had waned yet he failed to acknowledge how that was affecting everyone else around him. This failure to understand and discover a realistic way to correct his mistakes in a long run led to Willy’s own self destruction and his own untimely death by