... ever discovering what is truly important to them and their family and what is real happiness. In Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman, Willy Loman portrays this very man; one who is lost in his own world, without a clue about life or himself. On his deathbed, Biff states his father "had all the wrong dreams" and "he never knew who he was" (138). Through studying ... truth, yet Willy still cannot come to grips with reality and shouts, "I am not a dime a dozen! I am Willy Loman and you are Biff Loman!" (132). Again, Willy is holding on to a phony dream that will never come true. While Biff...

• Word Count: 977
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

America is a land of opportunity, a place where the "American Dream" can actually solidify into reality for everybody. This traditional social ideal emphasizes the belief that every person has the chance to achieve success and prosperity. However, this dream only comes true for those who adhere to the right method of achievement: hard work and dedication. In Arthur Miller's tragedy Death of a Salesman, the Loman family ... fails to achieve the "American Dream" because they accepted the delusion that success is obtained through personal charms. This false ... the life of Biff and Happy, but a...

• Word Count: 1104
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School

... to Face Reality Many people in America today cannot cope with the present so they tend to relic in the past. In Arthur Miller's play, Death of a Salesman, the Loman family is incapable of facing reality. Willy, Linda, Happy and Biff do not succeed as much as they would like to in life. Their hopes and aspirations ultimately cause their downfall. Willy, an old, traveling ... not surprise people with living a lavish lifestyle, Willy chose to kill himself to make himself noticed. Linda is corrupted by Willy's desire to obtain success commonly described by the American Dream. She is taken i...

• Word Count: 842
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

In "Death of a Salesman," Arthur Miller masterfully illustrates the mindset of the play's disillusioned, turbulent characters. Although Willy Loman, a mediocre salesman for the Wagner company, is the salesman of the title it is his son, Biff, who provides the conflict which drives the play forward. He is an aging twenty-something with dreams of running a cattle ranch despite his father's desire for him to become a successful businessman. Ultimately, it is ... sweat. It was the idealistic dream-life of a wanderer, but it still did not carry any measurable quantity of "success." Therefore, Biff...

• Word Count: 515
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

In the play, Death of a Salesman, the character Willy Loman portrays the role of a traveling salesman who feels insecure about his persona. Willy is constantly comparing himself with others and has the tendency of always putting others down with the excuse of them not being "well-liked". The topic that constantly arises is how poorly Willy shows a good example for his two sons. Since Willy has a low self ... -esteem, it affects his family life and his role as the head of a household. In Death of a Salesman, the theme of the "American Dream" is to have the ideal family, be successful, and well-...

• Word Count: 512
• Approx Pages: 2
• Grade Level: High School

There is no doubt that an individual's drive for success can either make or break that individual. Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller is an excellent example of how one's will to achieve can affect themselves as well as those around them. Willy Loman's drive for success affects his family, his ... I was twenty-one I walked out And by God I was rich." Willy thrives off this quote. Ben had achieved the complete success that Willy could only dream about. Willy could never achieve the success or perform the deeds that Ben did. In the play we notice that when Willy is extremely depressed, it is ...

• Word Count: 1216
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

... people live. Some people can never meet the standards that society sets for them. Most encounter a society with a standard of living that is unparalleled throughout history. The main character in Death of a Salesman, Willy Loman, lives a life of incredible grief and hardship, aggravated by worlds of promise that he cannot ever seem to meet. Willy's tragedy is due more to society's negative influence than to actual ... by saying "No, no, some people-some people accomplish something. Willy desperately wants to do things right, but without extending much effort. Throughout the play, he dri...

• Word Count: 1110
• Approx Pages: 4
• Grade Level: High School