A Criticism of the American Dream

Death of a Salesman is a true and intelligent criticism of the American Dream. Willy Loman's dreams are unattainable, thus pointing out that the American dream can be insurmountable for many people. The Loman's displays of dishonesty and immorality prove that the American Dream can often diminish any respectable values an individual may have.

Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman is a story of a man, Willy Loman, whose struggling efforts to live the American dream are unsuccessful. Willy's efforts to have it all and live the life of a salesman, like his hero David Singleman, unfortunately are not enough pushing his dreams further away from reality. Death of a Salesman is a true and intelligent criticism of the American Dream. Willy Loman's dreams are unattainable, thus pointing out that the American dream can be insurmountable for many people. The Loman's displays of dishonesty and immorality prove that the American Dream can often diminish any respectable values an individual may have. Possessing the finest of everything and placing great importance on looks and material things such as Willy does, begins to create a materialistic world where success and wealth are of the utmost importance. The Loman family's longing to achieve the American Dream presents a clear image that allows insight into the imperfections and phoniness of the dream itself.

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The American Dream and the way Americans wish to live their lives can be insurmountable for the average person. Willy Loman is an accurate example of this. Willy is an average person and despite his great efforts, he cannot reach the American dream for which he longs. Not being able to achieve it causes him to feel worthless and slowly deteriorates his psychological well-being. When Willy comes to the realization that he has not yet lived the American Dream, he experiences such great disappointment in himself it becomes easier for him to create illusions. Willy's example demonstrates that there is an immense emphasis on success and wealth . The American Dream is set upon a pedestal, causing the dream itself to be adored and wanted by every American. It causes the basis of one's life to be only about achieving the American Dream. It is the epitome of being the all-American person, therefore achieving it means you are truly American. The misconception is that anyone can obtain the dream but when reality sets in and the dream slowly fades away there is nothing left except disappointment and the feeling of sheer worthlessness.

Emphasizing great importance on wealth and success can diminish any respectable morals an individual would posses. Creating pressure on society to live the American Dream can generate feelings of low self-worth if it is not attained, pushing people to go further to achieve it. It motivates people to go so far that anything preventing it is surpassed by any means necessary. The American Dream does not consist of being honest and true, it is about having the success and wealth that comes with it. By the actions of Willy Loman, it becomes clear that the morals and values he once had where destroyed by his overpowering need to achieve the American Dream. Lying, cheating and infidelity are a few of the many examples of the poor morals the Loman family abides by. Superficial qualities such as: popularity and personal attractiveness are a few of the qualities Willy feels are most important. By pointing out the false values displayed in the play it becomes easier to understand that the American Dream is what drives these values. Willy becomes so desperate to achieve his dream, he is willing to do whatever it takes. During the play, Willy encourages his son Biff to cheat so he is can pass his state exam gaining him acceptance to University. Willy stresses Biff's success because it takes him that much closer to his dream. The way Arthur Miller depicts the Loman family truly criticizes the fact that wealth and success are not the most significant attributes in real life.

The American Dream focuses on material things, as a result it creates a money-oriented world; a world where the most essential thing is having luxuries that are envied. Throughout the whole play we see this attribute in Willy. Willy is constantly trying to better himself by buying the best and biggest things. When Willy's son Biff is making a dollar an hour it is not good enough. It does not meet Willy's standards. As far as Willy is concerned, the possessions you have and money you earn prove success. When Willy begins to make less money, he feels pressure to lie and pretend he is making a considerable amount of money. This shows how phoney and materialistic the American Dream really is. Making the basis of life on material items creates a world where real, honest feelings and relationships are absent. As Willy's psychological welfare begins to deteriorate, we can see how his overpowering need to have everything causes him to lose sight of everything that is genuine in his life.

Death of a Salesman is a true criticism of the American Dream. Arthur Millers brilliant characters and plot reveal crucial points about the faults and phoniness within the American Dream. Willy illustrates that the American Dream is unattainable for average people. The Loman family's lack of honest and decent actions helps to emphasize the point that wealth and success can lead to an appalling set of morals and values. Willy's overpowering need to achieve everything uncovers the superficial aspects in the American Dream. By focusing your life on material things, real things become less important and the world around you becomes materialistic. Arthur Miller's play Death of a Salesman is truly an epic portrayal of the American dream, pointing out it's imperfections and its ability to destroy people and families.

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