... not get the loan. While Biff is trying to explain that he never actually worked as a salesman for Oliver, Happy is continually reassuring Willy that the interview went well. Another example occurs at the end of the play when Happy insists that Willy "did not die in vain. He had a good dream." Themes/Purpose/Ideas The main theme in Death of a Salesman is illusion versus reality. Willy ... has lived his entire life in a world of illusions. These illusions include Willy's belief that being well-liked is the key ... to success, as well as the literal illusions that Willy has of his past. O...

• Word Count: 2162
• Approx Pages: 9
• Grade Level: High School

The Disillusioned View of Reality In the drama Death of a Salesman, Arthur Miller focuses on dreams versus reality as his main theme of the play. The major characters Willy, Happy, and, in part Biff, all have problems facing life and its hardships. The lead character Willy has a difficult time confronting realism in his life because of a strong desire for his dreams to be accomplished. Willy's dreams are to ... a brighter future create entrapment for Willy who feels lost in his thoughts and wonders if success will eventually come his way. Willy ignores reality and because of this he is caught...

• Word Count: 1714
• Approx Pages: 7
• Grade Level: High School

... . They could be brother and sister, mother and daughter, mother and son, father and daughter, or in this case, father and son. In "Death of a Salesman" by Arthur Miller, the interactions between Willy Loman and his sons, Happy and Biff, allow Miller to comment on father-son relationships and the conflicts that arise within them. During many father-son relationships, the father is very ... take matters into his own hands. The reason that Biff came home is to find out what he wants in life. Yet Willy thinks otherwise, "The trouble is he's lazy, goddammit!" (Miller 1305) Because Willy gets ...

• Word Count: 1593
• Approx Pages: 6
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: High School