Death Of A Salesman Play Analysis

Mikayla Harf Within both the plays Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller and Fences by August Wilson, the authors show the American Dream as a goal, something to reach for. But there always seem to be roadblocks in the way of the characters in the plays to reach the American Dream. Both plays show hope for the American Dream even though at first glance both plays might look hopeless. Biff and Rose both show hope for the American Dream even though in the beginning it may not seem that way. The roadblocks the characters encounter in both plays are evident throughout but it that little glimmer of hope that makes all the difference.

Though to some it would seem that both plays shed a positive light on the American Dream, it can also be proven …show more content…
You would never expect a man with a similar background as Willy Loman’s children, to one day be a lawyer and present a case to the Supreme Court, but that is exactly what happens to Bernard. Willy went over to Charley’s house to ask for money to pay off his insurance, he ran into Bernard and has a whole conversation with him. Right when Bernard is about to leave for Washington Charley walks in and makes mention of the Supreme Court “How do you like this kid? Gonna argue a case in front of the Supreme Court. [then WIlly says] The Supreme Court! And he didn't even mention it!” beside the fact that Willy is so surprised by the fact that Bernard didn't mention it was the Supreme Court he was fighting a case in. The sheer fact that Bernard was a lawyer at all was a success in the American Dream. This is caused by the fact that Bernard was brought up in the same social standings as both Biff and Happy, but because of his hard work and determination, he became successful, which is exactly what the hope American Dream to end up as. Bernard, in the end, has hope that through him, maybe, just maybe, the Dream will be able to reach Willy’s family. Although Willy does die which causes despair of the American Dream, there are two very positive things that come out of Willy’s death. One of these positive things is Biff’s new dream, Biff never really wanted to follow in his father's footsteps, but because Willy was so adamant in making that happen, Biff never really had the chance to make his own decisions and he finally became his own person in the fight between his father and him. During this fight, he said “Pop, I’m nothing! I’m nothing, Pop. Can’t you understand that? there’s no spite in it any more. I’m just what I am and that's all… Will you let me go, for Christ sake? Will you take that phony dream and burn it before something happens? I’ll go in the morning.”