Topic > American Dream in Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller

Arthur Miller, who is a devoted writer, shows his concern for the well-being of American society in his piece Death of a Salesman. This piece is a perfect example of how the pressure to achieve the American dream can control your mind and lead to tragedy. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Willy Loman, protagonist of the text, is the average white American family salesman whose life begins to spiral out of control due to the pressure of making it to the top. Throughout the story there is a constant struggle for financial stability and to fit into the right place in society. Death of a Salesman is a perfect example of the Marxist perspective because the only happiness they believe can be found is measured by success achieved in the world of work. It is by analyzing the life actions and backgrounds of the book's two main characters, Willy and Biff, that this conclusion can be reached. Based on the theory of Karl Marx, Marxism has become a social theory. This social vision contains two different classes, the proletariat and the bourgeoisie. Overall Marxists believed that capitalism would lead to uncontrollable consumerism and greed. These ideas can be linked to Willy who has been consumed and almost blinded by capitalist ideals and everything that comes with it, where money, power and social position are perceived as the most important thing. Inevitably, Willy is shown as part of that proletarian class; therefore, he lies to convince himself that he has a higher status than he actually is. The Marxist perspective can also be applied heavily to the character of Biff. Biff is seen more as a “hands-on” individual who would honestly prefer to work outside on a farm or land. Willy couldn't understand why Biff didn't want a high-paying, respectful job like his father's. Both Willy and Biff begin the show in a state of false awareness, leading to both of them drifting apart. Unlike Biff, Willy essentially does not grow out of this state and will take his beliefs to the grave. Death of a Salesman takes up the typical idea of ​​the American dream and reveals negative aspects that can essentially derive from it. Willy's state of false consciousness stems primarily from his belief in a version of the American dream that is almost nonexistent in modern America. Willy longs for the chances of success that essentially define the American dream; focuses on the firm belief that this can be achieved through charm, style and popularity. In fact, he says that “the man who makes his appearance in the business world, the man who creates personal interest, the man who makes a career. You will be liked and you will never lack it.” Time proves Willy's idea completely wrong when it is shown that Bernard has managed to achieve a successful career thanks to his good grades and attitude, while charm and popularity get Biff and Happy nowhere. Indirectly due to Willy's obsession with popularity, he is alienated from Biff. Biff had been extremely close to him when he was younger, his relationship with his son slowly began to fall apart after Biff discovered his father's affair. Willy's strong stance on popularity convinced him to ask Biff to extend their conversation when it was important for the teenager to get good grades in school so he wouldn't fail and flunk out. Willy also states in the play, “How can he find himself on a farm? Is it a life? A farm worker? In the beginning, when it was.