Comparing The American Dream In Arthur Miller's Death Of A Salesman

Bernie Sanders has said, “For many, the American dream has become a nightmare.” For the Loman family this couldn’t be more true. Willy’s dream in living the American dream turned their family’s life into a nightmare. The family ends up completely split apart. We can look at the time period, the career, and parenting traits that all had an impact the Loman family and how they fell so far away from what the American dream really is. In 1949 America was beginning it’s peak. There was a postwar boom, sending the economy to an all time high. The “baby boom” began, and in result people began to move out of inner city departments and into suburban homes. With the increase in home purchases also comes the need for more stuff; washers, driers, furniture, decor, and many more necessary home items. We see this with the Loman family when Linda and Willy discuss all the home additions they need to pay for. “ Well, there’s a nine-sixty for the washing machine.
He traveled all over New England trying, and failing to persuade people to buy his items. Willy would brag “I did five hundred gross in Providence and seven hundred gross in Boston.”(Act 1, Scene 1) Linda got so excited “that makes your commission... two hundred-my God! Two hundred and twelve dollars.”(Act 1, Scene 1) Willy immediately realizes his exaggeration takes back his statement, giving excuses for why he didn’t really reach that commission. Linda figures “Well, it makes seventy dollars and some pennies. That’s very good.” ( Act 1, Scene 1) Willy felt that through being a salesman he would be able to have the American dream. However, Willy did not poses the qualities that a salesman needed. He would say how “if a man was impressive and well liked...”(Act 2, Scene 1) that he would be an excellent salesman. He got this idea when he was a younger man, after he meet a man named Dave Singleman. He tell’s his story