Life is never an easy journey for anyone because there are always uphill battles to be fought and curveballs that put life’s enjoyments on hold. However, when life’s favorite pitch becomes the curveball, everyday living becomes an impossible feat. In Arthur Miller’s, Death of a Salesman, Willy Loman strikes out each time he is up at bat. The Loman’s are an average family aspiring to prosper from the infamous “American Dream,” but fall victim to the harshness of reality. For every American who gained numerous riches, many more succumbed to the reality of capitalism and life in poverty. Many Americans succumbed to the reality of capitalism and life in poverty. Willy Loman’s financial and emotional hardships through life are the universal struggles of those who suffered from the cruelties of
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The ideals many Americans had about the American Dream proved to be too good to be true, resulting in a disillusioned society fraught with poverty and suffering. People were sold on the concept of getting rich quick and believed hard work could raise your social status. They believed in every little scheme that they thought would make them richer overnight. For example, Willy’s brother Ben, “...when I walked into the jungle, I was seventeen. When I walked out I was twenty-one, And by God, I was rich" (Miller, 52). Any opportunity that was available to make a profit was taken. With money driven mindsets, Americans took jobs that may have offered promising salaries but didn’t hold up their end of the bargain. Willy works for Frank’s firm, and Frank made promises to Willy concerning his salary. However, once Howard took over, all of the promises that were previously made were no longer in effect. All Willy asks for is forty dollars a week and to not have to travel, but all Howard could heartlessly say is, “Kid, I can’t take blood from a stone” (Miller, 81). After thirty-four
The ideals many Americans had about the American Dream proved to be too good to be true, resulting in a disillusioned society fraught with poverty and suffering. People were sold on the concept of getting rich quick and believed hard work could raise your social status. They believed in every little scheme that they thought would make them richer overnight. For example, Willy’s brother Ben, “...when I walked into the jungle, I was seventeen. When I walked out I was twenty-one, And by God, I was rich" (Miller, 52). Any opportunity that was available to make a profit was taken. With money driven mindsets, Americans took jobs that may have offered promising salaries but didn’t hold up their end of the bargain. Willy works for Frank’s firm, and Frank made promises to Willy concerning his salary. However, once Howard took over, all of the promises that were previously made were no longer in effect. All Willy asks for is forty dollars a week and to not have to travel, but all Howard could heartlessly say is, “Kid, I can’t take blood from a stone” (Miller, 81). After thirty-four