Death of a Salesman Relating to the American Dream
Studieportalen.dk
~ The American Dream in Death of a Salesman ~
Death of a Salesman addresses the painful conflicts within one family, but it also tackles larger issues regarding American national values. The play examines the cost of blind faith in the American Dream. The American Dream is the idea, held by many in the United States of America, that through hard work, courage and determination one can achieve prosperity. These were values held by many early European settlers and have been passed on to subsequent generations. What the American Dream has become is a question under constant discussion, and some believe that it has led to an overemphasis on comparative material wealth as the only measure of success and happiness. To be successful in the 20th century one must be able to accept change, for the world never stays the same for long. The goal of every North American is the American Dream. Willy's inability to adapt to the changing world around him leads to his failure. His attitude is similar to a child's; he is never willing to take responsibility for his actions. As a result of his immaturity Willy builds enormous dreams which are unrealistic for a man of his age. Willy believes wholeheartedly in what he considers the promise of the American Dream - that a “well liked” and “personally attractive” man in business will undoubtedly and deservedly acquire the material comforts offered by modern American life. Oddly, his fixation with the superficial qualities of attractiveness and likeability is at odds with a more rewarding understanding of the American Dream that identifies hard work without complaint as the key to success. Willy’s interpretation of likeability is superficial, for example he childishly dislikes Bernard because he considers Bernard a nerd. Willy’s blind faith in his distorted version of the American Dream leads to his rapid psychological decline when he is unable to accept the difference between the Dream and his own life. Willy’s
~ The American Dream in Death of a Salesman ~
Death of a Salesman addresses the painful conflicts within one family, but it also tackles larger issues regarding American national values. The play examines the cost of blind faith in the American Dream. The American Dream is the idea, held by many in the United States of America, that through hard work, courage and determination one can achieve prosperity. These were values held by many early European settlers and have been passed on to subsequent generations. What the American Dream has become is a question under constant discussion, and some believe that it has led to an overemphasis on comparative material wealth as the only measure of success and happiness. To be successful in the 20th century one must be able to accept change, for the world never stays the same for long. The goal of every North American is the American Dream. Willy's inability to adapt to the changing world around him leads to his failure. His attitude is similar to a child's; he is never willing to take responsibility for his actions. As a result of his immaturity Willy builds enormous dreams which are unrealistic for a man of his age. Willy believes wholeheartedly in what he considers the promise of the American Dream - that a “well liked” and “personally attractive” man in business will undoubtedly and deservedly acquire the material comforts offered by modern American life. Oddly, his fixation with the superficial qualities of attractiveness and likeability is at odds with a more rewarding understanding of the American Dream that identifies hard work without complaint as the key to success. Willy’s interpretation of likeability is superficial, for example he childishly dislikes Bernard because he considers Bernard a nerd. Willy’s blind faith in his distorted version of the American Dream leads to his rapid psychological decline when he is unable to accept the difference between the Dream and his own life. Willy’s