The greatest promise of America is the American Dream. The American Dream promises its citizens that if you work hard, you will have wealth, well-being, and happiness. Many immigrants came to America hoping to fulfill this amazing promise of success. Even today, it is the light at the end of the tunnel for many hard workers. Arthur Miller, a renowned playwright of the early 20th century, warns them of this enormous lie. One of his famous works, “Death of a Salesman,” tells the truth about this vain goal, and consequences of any who follow. Arthur Miller portrays the American Dream as a false hope whose promises only lead to destruction. Although the American Dream ensures wealth, it only results in destitution. Many people believe that if
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Some believe by following the American Dream, they will achieve wellness and a great, moderate state of being. If one strives for this, they will eventually live well, refined lives full of greatness. Arthur Miller attacks this silver-tongued misconception through the character of Biff Loman, the black sheep and eldest son of Willy. Biff, after his failed senior year and revelation of his father’s affair, traveled out west to find his fortune. He traded the urban jungle of the natural one. In this time, due to his familial issues, he became a thief and a rebel. Biff couldn’t hold a job because of his inability to follow orders. He also discovered the truth about the American Dream in his state of despair. He realized for the first time that he, like the rest of his co-workers, were not only common, but expendable. In the last part of “Death of a Salesman,” Biff confronts his father about this shocking reality:
“I am not a leader of men, Willy, and neither are you. You were never anything but a hard-working drummer who landed in the ash can like all the rest of them…Pop, I’m nothing! I’m nothing, Pop. Can’t you understand that? There’s no spite in it anymore. I’m just what I am, that’s all.” (p.
Some believe by following the American Dream, they will achieve wellness and a great, moderate state of being. If one strives for this, they will eventually live well, refined lives full of greatness. Arthur Miller attacks this silver-tongued misconception through the character of Biff Loman, the black sheep and eldest son of Willy. Biff, after his failed senior year and revelation of his father’s affair, traveled out west to find his fortune. He traded the urban jungle of the natural one. In this time, due to his familial issues, he became a thief and a rebel. Biff couldn’t hold a job because of his inability to follow orders. He also discovered the truth about the American Dream in his state of despair. He realized for the first time that he, like the rest of his co-workers, were not only common, but expendable. In the last part of “Death of a Salesman,” Biff confronts his father about this shocking reality:
“I am not a leader of men, Willy, and neither are you. You were never anything but a hard-working drummer who landed in the ash can like all the rest of them…Pop, I’m nothing! I’m nothing, Pop. Can’t you understand that? There’s no spite in it anymore. I’m just what I am, that’s all.” (p.