The American Dream and Willy Loman
The American ideal is a vision of a prosperous society where everyone lives comfortably. As a traveling salesman, Willy Loman aspires to the American ideal of achieving wealth and success with little effort. Loman labors for thirty years without success because he thinks that prosperity in all facets of wealth creation is possible. Unfortunately, Loman eventually loses patience, and his fantasy does not come true. As a result, Loman enters a state of denial and starts blaming other people for his failure and lost chances. According to Loman, the American dream considers saving money and working diligently as the path to success. Loman, on the other hand, ends up committing suicide because he is unhappy with his existence. He dies unsatisfied with his efforts signifying the death of the dream.
Loman's Sons and the American Dream
Loman's sons, Happy and Biff also do not achieve the American dream. They strive not only to please their father but also to get a social liking. However, the definition of material wealth keeps changing, and in the end, they do not live the dream. By the end of the play, Biff views the American dream as a simple and quiet life with less attention to wealth (Miller 29).
The Evolving American Dream
Unlike what Arthur Miller wrote, the American dream today is different, and most Americans now believe it is impossible to achieve the dream. Americans now work fewer hours, encourage a sharing economy and seek to minimize commercialization. In her report on a survey the Centre carried out, Baird cites that the public is shifting from the idea of the American dream to a sharing economy.
The Unrealistic American Dream
The American dream is unrealistic. There are few opportunities to meet all the people’s match. Satisfaction in life, more so, is not about material possessions. Depletion and environmental consumption also limit the wealth achievements of individuals. The market is also very competitive, and hard work is no longer a solution to being rich. The cost of living is increasing rapidly, making the dream unachievable.
Works Cited
Baird, Sarah. What does the 'American dream' mean today? New York: The centre for a new American dream, 2014. < Baird, Sarah. What does the 'American dream' mean today? New York: The centre for a new American dream, 2014.> Accessed 11/18/2017.
Miller, Arthur. Death of a salesman. New York: Viking Press, 1949. Print
