Willy Loman Archetype

The American Dream: one of the most prevalent themes found in literary works of the Modern and Postmodern era. This phenomenon defines itself as the idea that any American is capable of achieving success, riches, and happiness through hard work alone. However, people who spend too much time and energy striving for wealth sacrifice their health and happiness, thus creating the American Nightmare. We all know someone, friend or relative, who works to the point of utter exhaustion in order to afford the big house and fancy cars. In fact, there is a piece of highly acclaimed literary work that illustrates this exact archetype: Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. The main character of the play, Willy Loman, represents that friend or relative we all know. He works his life away in an attempt to achieve the seemingly intangible American Dream, only to end his life living in the American Nightmare. As Willy becomes older, his formerly successful career begins to falter and his mental health begins diminishing due to years of mental and physical exhaustion catching up with him.