Examples Of Willy's Dream In Death Of A Salesman
In Arthur Miller’s The Death of a Salesman, Willy Loman is depicted as a failing salesman who dreams of becoming rich and famous. Willy strives to achieve the same goals as his dead brother, Ben. Furthermore, I believe Ben symbolizes hopes and dreams. Additionally, I think the theme of Death of a Salesman is that only relying on hopes and dreams to accomplish goals will lead to a tragic failure. During the full extent of the book, Willy imagines that Ben is talking to him and encouraging him to follow his dreams. Ben appears to tell Willy to “find his diamond”, “The jungle is dark but full of diamonds, Willy … One must go in to fetch a diamond out,” (Miller 134). After Willy is denied a job where he doesn’t have to travel and a raise, Willy
thinks about his memories with Ben and the advice Ben gave him,” You’ve a new continent at your doorstep, William. Get out of these cities, they’re full of talk and time payments and courts of law. Screw on your fists and you can fight for a fortune up there,” (Miller 85). After learning his son, Biff, hadn’t received money to start his own business, Willy’s last hope was crushed. When Willy realizes that everything he dreamed about was gone, he decides the only way to follow his dreams was to follow Ben and end his life. Linda, Willy’s wife, calls him to come to bed, “Yes! Yes. Coming! It’s very smart, you realize that, don’t you, sweetheart? Even Ben sees it. I gotta go, baby. ‘By! ‘By! Going over to Ben, almost dancing: Imagine? When the mail comes he’ll be ahead of Bernard again ... Ben, looking at his watch: The boat. We’ll be late. He moves slowly off into the darkness,” (Miller 135). When Ben appears and talks to Willy about being successful, He represents hopes and dreams. Willy is reliant on hope to get him to where he wants to go. Similarly, Willy is reminded of Ben after he has failed to acquire a raise. When Ben constantly appears, it suggests that Willy’s illusions are breaking down and he is coming to a realization that dreaming has gotten him nowhere.
thinks about his memories with Ben and the advice Ben gave him,” You’ve a new continent at your doorstep, William. Get out of these cities, they’re full of talk and time payments and courts of law. Screw on your fists and you can fight for a fortune up there,” (Miller 85). After learning his son, Biff, hadn’t received money to start his own business, Willy’s last hope was crushed. When Willy realizes that everything he dreamed about was gone, he decides the only way to follow his dreams was to follow Ben and end his life. Linda, Willy’s wife, calls him to come to bed, “Yes! Yes. Coming! It’s very smart, you realize that, don’t you, sweetheart? Even Ben sees it. I gotta go, baby. ‘By! ‘By! Going over to Ben, almost dancing: Imagine? When the mail comes he’ll be ahead of Bernard again ... Ben, looking at his watch: The boat. We’ll be late. He moves slowly off into the darkness,” (Miller 135). When Ben appears and talks to Willy about being successful, He represents hopes and dreams. Willy is reliant on hope to get him to where he wants to go. Similarly, Willy is reminded of Ben after he has failed to acquire a raise. When Ben constantly appears, it suggests that Willy’s illusions are breaking down and he is coming to a realization that dreaming has gotten him nowhere.