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

741 Words3 Pages

Legendary fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger once said, "The road to success is not easy to navigate, but with hard work, drive, and passion, it 's possible to achieve the American dream," which are ideals that Willy and Biff struggle with throughout the play The Death of a Salesman. Willy and Biff have different ideas of the American Dream which may or may not have an impact on the rest of their lives. Willy believes wholeheartedly in what he considers the promise of the American Dream that a “well liked” and “personally attractive” man in business will indubitably 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 …show more content…

Time and again, he wants to make sure his boys are well-liked and popular. For example, when his son Biff confesses to making fun of his math teacher 's lisp, Willy is more concerned with how Billy 's classmates react. Of course, Willy 's version of the American Dream never pans out. Despite his son 's popularity in high school, Biff grows up to be a drifter and a ranch-hand. Willy 's own career falters as his sales ability flat-lines. When he tries to use "personality" to ask his boss for a raise, he gets fired …show more content…

Although he has felt confused and angry since discovering his father 's infidelity, Biff Loman does have the potential to pursue the "right" dream, if only he could resolve his inner conflict. Biff is pulled by two different dreams. One dream is his father 's world of business, sales, and capitalism. But another dream involves nature, the great outdoors and working with his hands. Biff explains to his brother both the appeal and the angst of working on a ranch. However, by the end of the play, Biff realizes that his father had the "wrong" dream. Biff understands that his father was great with his hands; Willy built their garage and put up a new ceiling. Biff believes that his father should have been a carpenter, or should have lived in another, more rustic part of the

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