The American Dream and Death of a Salesman Essay - 937 Words

The American Dream is one of the most sought-after things in the United States, even though it is rarely, if ever, achieved. According to historian Matthew Warshauer, the vision of the American Dream has changed dramatically over time. In his 2003 essay â€Å"Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: Changing Conceptions of the American Dream†, Warshauer claims that the American Dream had gone from becoming wealthy by working hard and earning money, to getting rich quickly and easily. He attributes this change to television game shows, state lotteries, and compensation lawsuits. He also argues that most Americans are more concerned with easy money than hard-earned money, and that Americans care mostly about material goods such as consumer products, big†¦show more content†¦This shows Willy’s and Biff’s obsession with material goods and consumer products, just as Warshauer claims. In addition, in Warshauer’s essay, he observes that â€Å"rather than adhering to a traditional work ethic, far too many Americans are pinning their hopes on ‘easy money’†. The characters of Willy and his two sons, Happy and Biff, prove this. At the end of the play, Willy kills himself in a car crash in order to get insurance money for his family, hoping that Happy and Biff will use that money to start their own business. This shows that instead of continuing to work and make money, he kills himself to get some â€Å"easy money† for his family. Also, Happy and Biff plan on becoming successful businessmen, despite failing school. Biff dropped out of high school after failing math, and Happy works as an assistant to an assistant in a department store, where he makes very little money. Although Biff acknowledges his failure, Happy acts as if he had the greatest job ever. He seems to be blissfully unaware of the world around him, and seems to only be interested in girls than actually trying to improve his position. Both Happy and Biff se em to expect success to come to them, hoping to make â€Å"easy money†. Warshauer also comments that â€Å"in a society dedicated to capitalism †¦ the ability to buy a big house and a nice car separates those who are considered successful from those who are not†. This is shown to be true in Death of a Salesman,Show MoreRelatedAmerican Dream - Death of a Salesman1005 Words   |  5 PagesThe play Death of a Salesman greatly portrays a specific ideology in regards to values, dreams, goals, and success in our consumer-driven society. It helps showcase the American dream that society tends to strive for even in the early 1900’s (the play is set in the 1940’s). That dream of being a successful business person or vendor. As well as the theory that image and physical attributes are most important to gaining fruition. Willy Loman plays a man in his sixties who has strived for this AmericanRead MoreDeath Of A Salesman And The American Dream Essay2203 Words à ‚  |  9 Pagescoming together created the illusion of The American Dream. Back then; the American dream was equated with freedom and material prosperity, two concepts that ring true today. The definition of the American dream changes as society in the United States changes, and the connotation and reality of the American Dream is disheartening. Two literary compositions give a realistic outlook on what the American Dream really is. In Death of a Salesman and The American Dream, Arthur Miller and Edward Albee masterfullyRead MoreThe American Dream in Death of a Salesman Essay1566 Words   |  7 Pages The American Dream is based on the Declaration of Independence ´: We believe that all men are born with these inalienable rights - life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. ´ (Thomas Jefferson, 1776). This dream ´ consists of a genuine and determined belief that in America, all things are possible to all men, regardless of birth or wealth; you work hard enough you will achieve anything. However, Miller says people have been ultimately misguided ´. The originsRead MoreThe American Dream as It Relates to Death of a Salesman1185 Words   |  5 PagesThe American Dream as it Relates to Death of a Salesman The theme of the American Dream is extremely prevalent in Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman. It is so prevalent that there are literally hundreds of different to ways to analyze how the theme is used in the play. One interesting perspective is that the different characters in the play represent different versions of the American Dream. Biff represents the 19th century version of the American Dream, Happy represents the 20th century versionRead MoreDeath Of A Salesman American Dream Essay952 Words   |  4 PagesWilly Loman, Arthur MIller s tragic protagonist of Death in a salesman, stated, â€Å"Nothing’s planted. I don’t have a thing in the ground†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (MIller 122) Lowman, expresses his perception on his succession by planting flowers into the ground. Believing nothing he accomplished was nearly suitable to feel satisfaction. 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Many mistakenly associate the American Dream’s success with materialistic wealth, such as the Kardashian’s or Mark Zuckerbe rg’s,   the success of the American dream to be associated with materialistic wealth, but Adams refers to it as a better lifestyle. Even though the UnitedRead More Destruction of the American Dream in Death of a Salesman Essay1042 Words   |  5 Pagessame dream that says this is a country where anything’s possible. No matter who you are. No matter where you come from.† -- President Obama, Commenting on the American Dream The American Dream is a set of ideals in which freedom includes the opportunity for prosperity and success. It is the belief that, no matter how poor you begin life, you can achieve upward social mobility for your family and children. Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman, crushes the ethos of the American Dream. Miller’sRead MoreEssay about The American Dream in Death of a Salesman1371 Words   |  6 PagesArthur Miller’s ‘Death of a Salesman’ is an examination of American life and consumerism. It relates the story of a common man who portrays this lifestyle. Other issues explored in the play include: materialism, procrastination and alienation. The play was set in 1948, in a time where The American Dream was highly regarded, despite the Depression. The American Dream was a belief that emerged in the later half of the nineteenth century, that if you work hard you will achieve success and prosperityRead MoreThe Myth of the American Dream Expo sed in Death of a Salesman1218 Words   |  5 Pages Millers work on â€Å"Death of a Salesman† is an example piece of work furthering the social protest involving totalitarianism and the American Dream. Throughout the piece, Miller uses his voice of conscience and passion for the purpose of exposing the truth about the concepts. Using the perspective of Willy, a fictional, working class citizen, Miller picks apart the myth of the American Dream, exploring topics such as abandonment, betrayal, family dynamics, and using interesting symbolism along