Death of a Salesman is an affirmation of the American spirit, and a depiction of the salesman's life. It has several themes that run throughout the movie. The most obvious theme is the idea of reality versus illusion. Though Linda, Biff and Happy are all unable to separate reality from illusion to some degree, Willy is the main character who suffers from this ailment. For years, Willy has believed that both he and his boys (particularly Biff) will one day be great successes. Tho

The idea that “personality wins the day” is one such flaw in Willy’s logic. Indeed, substance, not personality or being well liked, is what wins the day. Charley and Bernard, who have success but not personality, prove to Willy that his notion is incorrect. But unfortunately, Willy never understands this, and so goes to his grave never truly realizing where he went wrong.

ugh he’s a disrespected salesman, he calls himself the “New England man.” Though Biff has done nothing with his life by the age of thirty-four, Willy tells others and tries to make himself believe that his son is doing big things” out west. Willy’s brother, Ben, continually appears in the troubled man’s mind, offering hints on how to make it in the world of business. Willy feels that he must live up to the standard that Ben has set, but this is found to be impossible by the end of the movie. Only Biff ever realizes who he is (“a dime a dozen”) and what his potential really is. He is the only member of the family to finally escape from the poisonous grasp of illusion.

One of the secondary themes is the idea of the American Dream. Though Willy spends all of his adult life working for a sales company, this company releases the salesman when he proves to be unprofitable. Willy confronts Howard, his boss, when he charges, “You can’t eat the orange and throw the peel away—a man is not a piece of fruit.” Here, Willy feels that Howard has gone back on his fath

Some topics in this essay:
Depression Tom, Dream Willy, Biff Happy, Charley Bernard, American Dream, Willy’s Ben, Grapes Wrath, Death Salesman, Bluest Eye, american dream, reality versus, versus illusion, willy feels, grapes wrath, reality versus illusion,