Death OF A Salesman: The Elusive American Dream - Book Report/Review Example

Death OF A Salesman: The Elusive American Dream Willy’s elusive American Dream depicts Millers’ quest to destroy the myth that it is. There is no one deal that will take one from “rags to riches.” But for Willy, tomorrow that deal will come. Tomorrow will be different. Willy believed that he was living the American Dream. Fame and fortune was at his doorstep when he was rudely awakened by the reality that it was all a dream. The events in the play showing how Willy was dealing with his job, his wife, his sons and his best friend intensified the conflict he was battling with in his mind. At the end of the play, he was already too tired. He had to come out a winner in this losing streak. Even if it meant that he would have to take his life. He killed himself. His insurance money will pay his debt and leave some for his wife. The anger and animosity between him and his son, Biff, will cease. As for his job, he will be redeemed and his value to the company will be seen when his clients and co-workers, by the hundreds, will attend his funeral. For Willy, he has finally won. For him, after his death, the tomorrow will be different: for him, his fame will reach greater heights for at his funeral hundreds will come to pay their respects; and, for those he will be leaving behind a more secure future with the money that the insurance company will pay his family. Miller excellently drove his point to the audience that there is no American Dream. Willy’s desire for fame and fortune is seen in the people he epitomizes, Dave Singleman who died a salesman and how hundreds of people came to his funeral (p 81); and, Ben his brother who went into the “jungle” at 17 years old and came out very rich at the age of 21 (p.52). He wanted desperately to be like them. He always wanted to keep on hearing the stories of these people told over and over and over again (p.49). Miller attacked Willy’s dream in several ways. First, was at work when the son of the owner of the company refused to acknowledge Willy’s importance to the company. He even changed Willy’s work status from a salaried man to a per commission basis one (p.57). Gone was Willy’s fame. Willy’s reaction was one of denial. He instead focused his mind to remembering the past and telling himself that he will eventually be recognized for his 30year service to the company (p.14). Miller used symbolism to depict that Willy despite his denial knew the futility of continuing to work. This symbolism is of the car that keeps “going off onto the shoulder” of the road. Willy tried to keep on the road but all his efforts left him tired. He had no recourse but to go home (p.13). Second, was with Willy’s wife. Willy saw his wife mending her stockings (p.75). This angered him because for Willy mending socks showed lack of money (p.39). There was a point in his life when women would accept stockings from him as payment for sex (p.119). And now he cannot even buy a decent pair for his wife. Miller’s symbolism of not being able to buy stockings as being poor is seen throughout the play. Linda always enters the stage or leaves the stage mending stockings (p.39). Miller’s third attack was regarding the issue with Willy’s son. Biff was a promising young man in high school. He was a member of the football team. And he was going to college (p.91). But suddenly he did not “make the cut”. He failed. Miller attributes this to Biffs disillusionment when he saw his father with another woman (p.121). Willy was no longer famous with his sons. He again denied admitting any mistake and instead kicked Biff out of the house (p.58). And as a final straw, Miller tried to wake Willy up from his dream by using Charley to try and reason with him. But to no avail (p.97). Up to the end, Willy was in denial. There was one final deal that had to be made. A deal that would seal his American Dream and make him a winner. He sought the counsel of his imaginary brother Ben on this deal. They conversed as though it was a business deal and not his death (p.127). It was Ben, his brother, his business partner and his adviser that prodded him to continue with the deal. Ben assured him of the success of the deal referring to it as diamonds. Ben called him and reminded him of the time to leave and walk into the darkness (p.135). Willy then took his life (p.136). For Willy, he has won. But the tragedy of his death is deeply felt by Miller’s audience. It was truly a tragedy and a waste especially when Miller showed that his death was not necessary. He gained no fame by it for there was no crowd that attended his funeral (p.137). And, that there was no real need for the money since they had made the last payment on the house and the children will be helping out in the household expenses (p. 139). Read More