Willy Loman and the American Dream

Willy Loman, in the play Death of a salesman, believes that being physically attractive and well liked by people, are the only necessary ingredients to attain the American dream. Willy works his entire adult life trying to become an astounding salesman, such as Dave Singleman. In Willy’s mind, Dave is the epitome of a successful salesman and “thus, the dream has shaped in Willy’s mind. All his life has been spent trying to imitate this person” (Danqing 27), until he finally realizes that his hard work has got him nowhere. “I’ve got to get some seeds, right away. Nothing’s planted. I don’t have a thing in the ground” (qtd. in Delbanco and Cheuse 332). All of the actions Willy makes and the choices he decides upon, come back to greatly affect him and his family. Willy Loman in Death of a salesman becomes a victim of society’s superficial expectations as he relentlessly tries to pursue his idea of the American dream. Willy so greatly desires a life with money and admirers that he eventually drives himself crazy as he tries to attain his dream. Willy is constantly mumbling on about nonsense throughout the play. He talks to himself, he talks to people that he creates as figures of his imagination, and he day dreams about the past. Over hearing him arguing with himself, leaves Biff and Happy worried about their father’s state of mind. Linda, Biff, and Happy are talking in the kitchen as Willy walks out, continuing to ramble on and on to himself. Biff’s fears are heightened when “Linda reveals that Willy’s car accidents have actually been suicide attempts” (Moss and Wilson, par. 23). Not only does Willy talk to himself, he also gets caught up in memories and finds himself talking to his deceased brother, Ben, out loud. As Charley and Willy are playing cards the image of Ben enters the room. Willy, speaking to Charley, remarks, “I’m getting awfully tired, Ben” (302). As he continues to carry on conversations with Ben and Charley simultaneously, Charley catches on to