American Dream and the Tragedy of the Common Man in Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman

In Death of Salesman, the central subject is the collapse of dreams and false nature of protagonist which brings about not only his own ruin but also that of his family. The play also shows the contradicting feelings of self-deception, betrayal and guilt which speed Willy to his demise. According to Miller, the American Dream creates false hopes that prevent people from being proud of what they have accomplished to make their lives better than they would be elsewhere, and eventually fail at achieving anything.Willie Loman is an ordinary man who embodies traditional American values of success. He has reached the age where he can no longer compete successful in his chosen career, that of a traveling salesman. Faced with the termination of his job, he begins to examine his past life to determine its value. At this critical point in Willie’s existence, his oldest son Biff has returned home for a visit, and Willie’s old desire for his son to be a traditional success in life is rekindled. But the old tensions between the two men are also renewed. Once again, to Willie’s great disappointment, his son rejects Willie’s values and aspirations. ( Death of a Salesman Arthur Miller 1949 Drama”)

Keywords:

American Dream , Modern American Theater , Modern Tragic Hero , Alienation