The American Dream and Culture in Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller
In the play Death of a Salesman by American playwright Arthur Miller, the plot centers on the importance of the American Dream, and how in a cultural sense, it becomes the driving force for which the American society has placed its various expectations on it. Generally, the American Dream emphasizes that any goals set before you can be achieved with diligence and sheer grit, with self-fulfillment as the coveted reward that follows after.
Similarly, historian James Truslow Adams has explained that sentiment in his book of The Epic of America:
“But there has been also the American Dream, that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for every man, with opportunity for each according to his ability or achievement. It is a …show more content…
Biff is on the verge of failing his examinations yet his father could only praise him for being well liked by his peers. People like blunt Bernard acts as the playwright’s mouthpiece in dispelling all delusions and dishonest ways to be prosperous in life. Eventually, all his diligence and practicality pave way for him to become an eminent lawyer. Even after he becomes successful, he does not forget his family and friends. He spends time at his father’s workplace and plays a game of tennis with a friend. One day, Willy visited Charley to ask for money while retelling his past glorious memories. In a poignant scene, the audience relishes in Bernard’s self-assurance as he “sits whistling to himself” (69). Willy would never be caught whistling; it might affect his positive image he had been tirelessly putting on. Unlike Willy, Bernard does not need to validate himself, nor does he need to hide away from society like Ben. He finally becomes the “fullest stature” of himself through his “(realistic) ability and (honest) achievements” (Adams, The Epic of
In the play Death of a Salesman by American playwright Arthur Miller, the plot centers on the importance of the American Dream, and how in a cultural sense, it becomes the driving force for which the American society has placed its various expectations on it. Generally, the American Dream emphasizes that any goals set before you can be achieved with diligence and sheer grit, with self-fulfillment as the coveted reward that follows after.
Similarly, historian James Truslow Adams has explained that sentiment in his book of The Epic of America:
“But there has been also the American Dream, that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for every man, with opportunity for each according to his ability or achievement. It is a …show more content…
Biff is on the verge of failing his examinations yet his father could only praise him for being well liked by his peers. People like blunt Bernard acts as the playwright’s mouthpiece in dispelling all delusions and dishonest ways to be prosperous in life. Eventually, all his diligence and practicality pave way for him to become an eminent lawyer. Even after he becomes successful, he does not forget his family and friends. He spends time at his father’s workplace and plays a game of tennis with a friend. One day, Willy visited Charley to ask for money while retelling his past glorious memories. In a poignant scene, the audience relishes in Bernard’s self-assurance as he “sits whistling to himself” (69). Willy would never be caught whistling; it might affect his positive image he had been tirelessly putting on. Unlike Willy, Bernard does not need to validate himself, nor does he need to hide away from society like Ben. He finally becomes the “fullest stature” of himself through his “(realistic) ability and (honest) achievements” (Adams, The Epic of