Willy's Failure in Death of a Salesman Essay

Society has always strived for the American dream, a flawless life style including a hardworking father, housewife, jovial children, and a white picket fence. Although many have tried to acquire that ideal lifestyle most have failed. In Death of A Salesman Willy Loman exemplifies that disappointment through his life and actions. Author Miller utilizes Willy Lomans character to display mans desire of the American dream while he expresses mans inability to obtain that perfect world.

Willy attempted to succeed in all aspects of his life, including the way he tried to raise Biff to fit into a flawless standard of living. After Biff fell short of his fathers expectations, Willy partially blamed Biff for his lack of the American Dream. His disappointment in Biffs nonexistent career choice effected Willys evaluation of his life for example he speaks of Biff, Not finding yourself at the age of thirty four is a disgrace (Loman 16). Part of Willys disappointment in him self dealt with Biffs inability to satisfy him. He exaggerated his hope of success to Biff, which led to Biffs letdown. Miller mocks how Willy allows something he has no control over affect his yearn for perfection, and establishes the fact that perfection doesnt exist.

Willy Loman realized he had flaws in his life, but his mind couldnt accept them, and he thought that at some point in time he was close to the American Dream. His unhappiness triggered hallucinations that flashbacked to times in his life when he felt blissfulness, and satisfaction. The hallucinations made Willy more confident in his present self since they brought out qualities of the American Dream. Although those thoughts kept Willy pleased, he still knew about something missing. Which explains why he needed reassurance of his life from his dead brother Ben, while he imagined him there, Youre just what I need BenI still feelkind of temporary about myself (Miller 51). Talking with Ben didnt reassure Willy he achieved success but he counted on his hallucinations to help him hold on to the American dream. Miller presents societys dream of the ideal world through Willys character, and reveals his inability to accept his faults and failure.

Eventually Willys weaknesses caught up with him, and he began to feel that he had let himself down. His entire life he tried to live up to the American dream, and after many years of let downs he finally started to give up. Linda knew everything about Willy and she believed he did the best he could she even told Biff, Hes not the finest character that ever lived. But hes a human being, and a terrible thing is happening to him. So attention must be paid (Miller 57). Willy did not see his life as Linda did because he felt unworthy of living since he often attempted suicide. Willys high expectations for himself caused his death, and Miller initiates that because his expectations seemed unreal.

Willy wanted that perfect life style more than anything, but it was impossible, and Arthur Miller knew that. He believed that he could have defined Willy as flawless if he had accepted his imperfections. In an article he indirectly described Willys tragic ness, Tragedy, then, is the consequence of a mans total compulsion to evaluate himself justly(Miller 1). Willy did not satisfy himself because he never lived up to what he dreamed of, but he still worked hard therefore Miller expresses the impossibility of the American Dream, and points out through Willy that it is impracticable.

The theme of the American Dream permeates throughout Death of a Salesman as it illustrates the lack of success in the American dream. Miller realizes that the failures are always there and he criticizes society because of them. He also expresses through Willy that most people long for a flawless life, but there no such thing exists.