What happens to a dream deferred? The American dream is a dream that most strive for, and most can not achieve it. The American Dream, according to Jon Meacham in Time, encompasses the idea that “ those who work hard and play by the rules will be rewarded with a more comfortable present and a stronger future for their children.” This dream is a subtle ambition that Willy in Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, does everything he can to obtain, even by playing by the rules. In Willy’s scenario Meacham is false; even though someone plays by the rules does not mean they will be rewarded with enough to support his family and a stronger future for his children. This is supported with Mike Keefe’s political cartoon entitled, The American Pipe Dream with Attached Mirage...
Willy is a hard working salesman that does not see his family for days and weeks at a time, in order to pay for the monthly bills. Willy had just come back from a business trip, and he did not do as well as he had wanted. Miller writes, …show more content…
Well, no- [my paycheck] came to- roughly to two hundred gross on the whole trip,’ said Willy. ‘ two hundred gross. That’s…,’ figured Linda. ‘(Interrupting Linda) The trouble that three of the stores were half-closed for inventory in Boston.’...’ What do we owe?’ asked Willy. ’Well…’ commented Linda, ” page 19. Willy is in denial that he didn’t do enough to make his wife happy, so he tries to make his paycheck bigger than what it truly is. Later on in the play, Linda goes over all of the individual bills and they end up with close to nothing for themselves; thus, Meacham’s idea of the American Dream is not equitable to all Americans. Willy is experiencing the mirage that Keefe’s cartoon represents; of a false image that one wishes to encounter. The mirage is the ideal “American dream“ being swept away just as one gets closer to
Willy is a hard working salesman that does not see his family for days and weeks at a time, in order to pay for the monthly bills. Willy had just come back from a business trip, and he did not do as well as he had wanted. Miller writes, …show more content…
Well, no- [my paycheck] came to- roughly to two hundred gross on the whole trip,’ said Willy. ‘ two hundred gross. That’s…,’ figured Linda. ‘(Interrupting Linda) The trouble that three of the stores were half-closed for inventory in Boston.’...’ What do we owe?’ asked Willy. ’Well…’ commented Linda, ” page 19. Willy is in denial that he didn’t do enough to make his wife happy, so he tries to make his paycheck bigger than what it truly is. Later on in the play, Linda goes over all of the individual bills and they end up with close to nothing for themselves; thus, Meacham’s idea of the American Dream is not equitable to all Americans. Willy is experiencing the mirage that Keefe’s cartoon represents; of a false image that one wishes to encounter. The mirage is the ideal “American dream“ being swept away just as one gets closer to