The American Dream
Two Sides of the American Dream
DEATH OF A SALESMAN
The American Dream is thought and lived out differently by everyone, but not many think about how toxic and corrupt this dream can turn out to be. Willy Loman taught his son’s that it’s acceptable to live a life full of greed, lies, and pride. This leads to Willy destroying his relationship with Biff, and leading Happy down the same path of regret and mistakes he has. In the play, “Death of a Salesman,” by Arthur Miller we are shown what happens when people let this dream consume their lives. Miller shows us how this dream can tear a person, and all those around them, apart.
TH SANDBOX The American Dream has different views and approaches by different types of people, but in the end …show more content…
Roosevelt described The American Dream as “peace, prosperity, and all around wellbeing of the American people.” Some search for too much of prosperity and find themselves unsatisfied because their wellbeing physically and emotionally is staggering. Greed and pride are words that could go hand and hand with this great dream. In the plays, “Death of a Salesman,” by Arthur Miller and, “The Sandbox,” by Edward Albee, we are shown how greed and pride can lead to a life of loneliness and regret through both props and characters. In both plays we see different versions of the American Dream, and how it affected the lives of the …show more content…
According to “The Psychological Politics of the American Dream”, by Lois Tyson, it says, “Willy feels it is his own success he is experiencing in Biff's success. This is something other than healthy parental pride in a son who makes good, pride in one's success as a father--Charley's pride in his son, not Willy's, is of this kind. Willy's pride is projection, a very personal and intense form of vicarious experience.” (Tyson par 23). Willy’s pride in his sons isn’t a normal parental pride. It’s as if he put all his hopes and dreams in his sons, so when they succeed or do well he feels as if its him succeeding. Tyson continues with the argument by saying, “Willy will not have to face the repressed awareness of his failed life that keeps threatening to break through into his consciousness and overwhelm him.” (Tyson par 23). By living through his son, Willy won’t have to face the fact that he failed to achieve his dreams and goals. But when he didn’t feel as much pride in his sons anymore, he is overwhelmed by the feeling of his failures. Willy feels forced to live the life he does, and he’s trying to look for an outlet. He pushes the boy’s to be great and wants them to live a life far away from the one he has
DEATH OF A SALESMAN
The American Dream is thought and lived out differently by everyone, but not many think about how toxic and corrupt this dream can turn out to be. Willy Loman taught his son’s that it’s acceptable to live a life full of greed, lies, and pride. This leads to Willy destroying his relationship with Biff, and leading Happy down the same path of regret and mistakes he has. In the play, “Death of a Salesman,” by Arthur Miller we are shown what happens when people let this dream consume their lives. Miller shows us how this dream can tear a person, and all those around them, apart.
TH SANDBOX The American Dream has different views and approaches by different types of people, but in the end …show more content…
Roosevelt described The American Dream as “peace, prosperity, and all around wellbeing of the American people.” Some search for too much of prosperity and find themselves unsatisfied because their wellbeing physically and emotionally is staggering. Greed and pride are words that could go hand and hand with this great dream. In the plays, “Death of a Salesman,” by Arthur Miller and, “The Sandbox,” by Edward Albee, we are shown how greed and pride can lead to a life of loneliness and regret through both props and characters. In both plays we see different versions of the American Dream, and how it affected the lives of the …show more content…
According to “The Psychological Politics of the American Dream”, by Lois Tyson, it says, “Willy feels it is his own success he is experiencing in Biff's success. This is something other than healthy parental pride in a son who makes good, pride in one's success as a father--Charley's pride in his son, not Willy's, is of this kind. Willy's pride is projection, a very personal and intense form of vicarious experience.” (Tyson par 23). Willy’s pride in his sons isn’t a normal parental pride. It’s as if he put all his hopes and dreams in his sons, so when they succeed or do well he feels as if its him succeeding. Tyson continues with the argument by saying, “Willy will not have to face the repressed awareness of his failed life that keeps threatening to break through into his consciousness and overwhelm him.” (Tyson par 23). By living through his son, Willy won’t have to face the fact that he failed to achieve his dreams and goals. But when he didn’t feel as much pride in his sons anymore, he is overwhelmed by the feeling of his failures. Willy feels forced to live the life he does, and he’s trying to look for an outlet. He pushes the boy’s to be great and wants them to live a life far away from the one he has