The Unrealistic Dream In Arthur Miller's Death Of A Salesman

Often individuals face uncertainty and adversity in the pursuit of their dreams. This uncertainty spurs from the ideas that are instilled in a child’s mind as they grow up; “if you desire something strong enough, you can make it happen”. However, as one experiences the obstacles of life, it becomes undoubtedly clearer that not all aspirations are achievable. This awareness leads one to make decisions not only based on their potential, but on their limitations. But what happens if an individual does not come to this realization? What if one spends their entire life attempting to achieve an unrealistic dream, instead of an achievable one? This issue is demonstrated in Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman where Willy Loman, a self-deluded salesman, struggles to accept his reality, identity, and unrealistic perception of success. These struggles hold Willy back in his life and cause him a great deal of trouble because his misperceptions and insecurity …show more content…
Within the story, Willy Loman struggles to accept his reality, identity, and unrealistic perception of success and as a result, he is sent on a downward spiral. The descent into madness involves infidelity, deception, and eventually suicide. In the end, Willy never overcomes these struggles because he uses his memories to resort back to a happier time. However, by living in his delusions, Willy loses grip on reality. In comparison, I believe it is extremely easy to get lost in our fantasies and lose touch with reality. I am insecure about many aspects of my life such as my grades and the perceptions of others, however, I have learned to be content with who I am, rather than dwelling on who I could be. In conclusion, it is extremely important to be able to decipher between our reality and illusions because it will ensure that we live in our reality; not our