The discussion about the final payment on the house represents an achievement. Willy's Chevy is not the most reliable car, but it is a car. Willy has a wife and two kids, Biff and Happy. The idea of the American dream is not just to have all of the components of the dream but to also be happy with them. His inability to be content comes from his idea that his house is not big enough, the car is not nice enough, and the stability of the relationship with his family is questioned when Willy has the affair. .
The tape recorder in Howard's office represents the advancement in technology, and is a clue that times are changing. The booming economy is not too apparent to Willy. When he observes the tape recorder, Willy becomes fascinated with the recorder. His amazement and astonishment comes from never having seen or heard one. He is convinced to buy one for himself. When Willy talks about the refrigerator breaking or the car is breaks down, he says to Linda, "we are in a race with the junkyard."" Miller associates the breakdown of technology with the deterioration of the American Dream. Since Willy has all of these things and is still unhappy, he is unable to appreciate the simple things in life. A word that could be used to describe Willy is materialistic although he has the basics. While Willy has the ambition to succeed he does not have the motivation to do what it takes to succeed. His deficiency of motivation is shown from his willingness to settle even though he is not content. His lack of hard work makes him a victim of his own mediocrity. Willy remains a flat character throughout the play, and his inability to cope with the changing times, ultimately, infects his whole family. .
The refusal to accept reality is a huge problem for Willy and justifies Willy's belief that the wonderful memories of the past will dictate the future. Willy's values and morals are completely distorted and they inhibit his chance at success.
