In Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman (1949) Miller analyzes the negative effects that the American Dream can cause on American’s lives. Miller argues that the American dream can lead to the downfall of characters with a false sense of hope. In Willy’s case, the American dream gave him a false hope in gaining wealth when he had a steady job and family. Ultimately his discontentment with life leads to his demise because the American dream gave him false hope that made Willy delusional with the past and reality. Willy and his family can’t attain the American Dream Willy refuse to change, he cannot accept help from others, and Willy is unable to accept reality over the past. To begin, Willy cannot achieve the American dream because he is
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CHARLEY: What’re you, jealous of me? WILLY: I can’t work for you, that’s all, don’t ask me why” (Miller 67-68). In the context of the situation, Willy has just been fired by Howard and Charley offers him a job. However, Willy refuses to take Charley’s offer because he feels that he is better than him. Likewise, Willy ignored advice when Bernard informed that Biff needed to study more. In their conversation, Miller writes, “BERNARD: Just because he printed the University of Virginia on his sneakers doesn’t mean they’ve got to graduate him. Uncle Willy! WILLY: What’re you talking about? With scholarships to three universities, they’re gonna flunk him? BERNARD: But I heard Mr. Birnbaum say...WILLY: Don’t be a pest, Bernard! What an anemic” (Miller 18)! With the conversation between both Bernard and Willy, it becomes evident that Willy even affects others in receiving help. Willy even conveys to Biff that he doesn’t need to worry about his grades as much or seek help with his academic endeavors, thereby promoting rejection of help even in his own sons. Refusing help only hurts Willy in achieving the American Dream, since he no longer has people to help him get through his challenges and
CHARLEY: What’re you, jealous of me? WILLY: I can’t work for you, that’s all, don’t ask me why” (Miller 67-68). In the context of the situation, Willy has just been fired by Howard and Charley offers him a job. However, Willy refuses to take Charley’s offer because he feels that he is better than him. Likewise, Willy ignored advice when Bernard informed that Biff needed to study more. In their conversation, Miller writes, “BERNARD: Just because he printed the University of Virginia on his sneakers doesn’t mean they’ve got to graduate him. Uncle Willy! WILLY: What’re you talking about? With scholarships to three universities, they’re gonna flunk him? BERNARD: But I heard Mr. Birnbaum say...WILLY: Don’t be a pest, Bernard! What an anemic” (Miller 18)! With the conversation between both Bernard and Willy, it becomes evident that Willy even affects others in receiving help. Willy even conveys to Biff that he doesn’t need to worry about his grades as much or seek help with his academic endeavors, thereby promoting rejection of help even in his own sons. Refusing help only hurts Willy in achieving the American Dream, since he no longer has people to help him get through his challenges and