Whatever happened to the American Dream? It came true. You’re looking at it.

I never red the play and I just watched the brilliant 1985 adaptation now and hell, it will stay in mind for a while. I am not american, never been there and don't even fully understand what the hell is the american dream, but god, can I relate anymore to this great piece of art!! This work was waaaaay ahead of its time. In my opinion it's more relevant now than the time it was written! The way I saw Willie's struggle was exactly what we struggle with now, seeking approval from the others, from the social standards and from what we were taught to be "success". I am a salesman myself, and I am watching this while struggling in my career and questioning if I am even good at what I am doing. You may think watching this now was a bad choice for me but hell no! It was a very very good reminder about what we tend to forget, for ignorance, for getting swamped in our daily routine or for whatever reason. We tend to forget what actually matters, we tend to forget that we are just passing by and whether you are a janitor, or a "Loman Brother".. (I hope that was intended metaphor, we're gonna die. Yes, every man should leave their mark before checking out, but what mark will put a smile on your face when you're facing the inevitable? Your choice! What a movie and what a great performance by every single cast member but specially Dustin Hoffman! This is one of the movies that make you appreciate life and being able to watch that awesome piece of art

I think the play is about a Dreamer who was in reality nothing more than a Fantasizer.

Actually, instead of guessing, interpreting, and speculating, listen to the interview with Arthur Miller himself, and he says it's about the love affair between a father and son, among other subjects. There you go, a 15-minute video boiled down to 15- seconds. Haha, 😊

That’s one ridiculous statement and quite the take given the playwright himself is clear on the motive for the play. At least be controversial with a well constructed and relevant argument. Smh.

You're right that Willy Loman is motivated by pride. He talks a lot about wanting to see people smiling at him. But that's very much a hallmark of American capitalism. Pride, forced cheer, and desire to be "someone special" are psychological components that distract the working class from their material circumstances.

I think the American Dream is all encompassing... it still applies - but it is wealth, family, respect, all of it... On his funeral - he thinks of all the people that will be there. Family is a huge part of the play - in flashback he asks Ben how he should raise his boys. Connected the "salesman" dream and family - consider that he looks up to a man named "SINGLE" man... and that the man died alone working into his 80's. Is the American Dream to work up to death? Also on family - Willie repeats the flaws of his own upbringing - he has an absent father that left the family, much like Willie is always gone. Ben went off and made his own way, as Biff does in the West. Good point of being able to tell kids they are NOT doing a good job - he doesn't correct Biff's bad habits cheating and stealing. Wonder what Happy's kids will be like... continuing the circle of failed understandings of success, family, and work?

The American Dream…you have to be asleep to believe it - George Carlin

america face diferent reality

Thank you so much for posting this. I'm 50 and just read the play for the first time (just for personal reading), and I really appreciated your guidance on some themes to think about.

Willy is trying to live the “American Dream,” but I agree that he views it through the very elitist, superficially charming, self-important, and unrealistically effortless lens that Hollywood often portrays it as. Sadly, that was happening back in the Great Depression, and our media still does it today. “America is the land of opportunity where dreams come true.” Biff points out that Willy constantly filled him up with all this “hot air” back in high school when he was a physically attractive and popular teenage jock on his football team. He stands there there making fun of Charlie son Bernard for being a hard-working, humble, and nerdy kid who spends all his time studying for his math exam and reading books. However, 15 years later, Biff is 34 years old and still struggling to hold down a job because he’s been encouraged to always demand the best with little to no effort or humility at work, while Bernard has become a successful lawyer taking cases with clients in the Supreme Court because he knew how to be humble and work his way up to the top.

The American Dream is the belief that effort and dedication will be rewarded. Part of Willy's journey is the discovery that it isn’t so.

I was very critical of this stupid play as I had to help a student for drama class. We had to watch the play a few times study the fashion of the time and hairstyles etc. The play is boring melodramatic crap and I don't see how 18 year olds are supposed to identify with a 63 year old with dementia. After we had completed the assignment I realised why the play is so popular with drama students. The answer is that it's a simple play with simple characters and easy emotions for young actors to portray plus the props are easy to manage. My unbiased conclusion dumb boring play but easy for young thespians to sink their teeth in.

Hmmm. Having a family name known throughout the nation....that would be a component of the American dream. I think the Rockefellers, the Kennedy's and the Astors prove my point. The play is about the stress and drama of trying to achieve the American dream, and not succeeding.

Everyone has a view. Here's mine about how an actor should approach the role. joestraw9.blogspot.com/2023/07/death-of-salesman-by-arthur-miller.html

I just wandered in. I played Linda recently, and I'm thinking...are you going to mention her? You do, just in passing. Excellent comments, but it is not a "thorough analysis" as someone mentions below 2 years ago! I like your take on Willy needing celebrity and validation because of the absence of his father. But you then have to wonder what his relationship is with hisOmother. I don't sympathize with him. He treats Linda like crap. And she still loves and tries to protect him. I've seen a few versions, and it's interesting that the women tend to get a little stronger as time goes on, and in the recent Broadway production, she was not the character Mildred Dunnock played - Dunnock had a "hit me" sign on her back. In thinking about Linda, one realizes that she keeps the finances and she knows the bills - Willy doesn't. She probably knows the boys better. She would be there all the time at home. Willy is not. My thinking is that she recognizes that Willy sees other women because of how he acts in and out of bed with her when he returns from these trips. And maybe she hears something, a whisper. I do think he loves her, but his seeking out other women has to do with his vision of who he wants to be. I played Linda's final speech as growing angry at him. And what's this "one dasn't blame this man?" Yeesh. Miller was a guy, he wrote great plays, but his vision is also thwarted by the times he lived in and the attitudes toward women. And no one seems to think that. Linda is a character with many dimensions, and you just have to start to think about them - about how Miller portrayed her and how there are missing pieces in that portrayal. She deserved better.

I think Willy chose the wrong career path and comes across as taking pride in manual labor (according to the 1985 movie) But he wanted to be “well-liked” as a “well-liked” salesman. He wanted to sell himself but that wasn’t enough to make him successful.

So, can we say is about the American reality?

When Linda says that Willy isn’t the greatest or most well known man it kinda references his lack of tragedy

Good analysis. I think had willy lived in the Soviet Union, he would have been pushing his sons to be good party apparatchiks. Had little to do with capitalism or America. Willy wanted validation from outside rather than creating it from within.

I just watched 30 minutes of it and it is very dull. Mostly a 60 years old man talking to himself.

The American Dream is no longer nor has it ever been "my own house, a little plot of ground, a bunch of family and let me be left alone to live, work and die"…. My friends, that's just plain human-animal materialist greed, arrogance-and-sloth to be found in any polluting human society since cavedays. THE "AMERICAN DREAM" HAS BECOME MATERIALISTIC AND SELFISH-"JUST LET ME ALONE, MAYBE WILFULLY IGNORANT!", "LET ME GET MINE and BE A STAR IF NEED BE", "NOT IN MY BACK YARD" AND "LET'S BOMB THEM ALL TO HELL!". The American Dream was, is and always will be the following- All men are created equal and independent. That's it. Period. That is from the first draft of the Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson that Congress censored. --Today we'd say "humans" and not "'men". P.S. "narcissist" is the EASY WAY OUT because by that analysis YOU MISS THE FACT THAT *******ALL MEMBERS OF OUR SPECIES******* ARE NARCISSISTIC, you know, "We just gave birth to Baby Jesus".

Everything you talk about is part of the american dream.

Still amazed that two Jewish "boys" are called "Biff" and "Happy."

I always thought it was about some asshole who sucked at his job and then died.

The sad thing is I see myself in Willie. Im also a fatherless neurotic who strives for recognition, who is obsessed with validation.

It was more than money, it was to be recognized, to be admired, to be remembered. To have significance.

I've watched the plays several times and read the book a couple times. With all the dimensions which could be and are expressed, at it's true core, on a purely raw and blatant level, it's a play/story about self-induced mental illness; self-absorbtion coupled with Sociopathy (no conscience) in fact causes mental illness/ aka guilt; their egos, pride and dillusions of self grandier lead the characters to embellish and paint a picture of what they wish reality were. The scene where it's disclosed that the salesman was returning home from a "successful day, only to later reveal he'd pretended to go to work; misleading his unwary wife and disillusioned kids; I personally on a side note imagine perhaps he dressed up early in the morning in his nice suit but had for example only done so to attend a mandated psychological evaluation; as his several attempts at suicide previously no doubt created horror and psychological issues for his kids/wife. Maybe he just sat at a bench in a park to kill time, but in any event, if anyone can read this play and not see the psychosis elephant in the room is the loudest reoccurring theme, they're in my opinion missing the authors prominent point. One of the most heart breaking and deeply troubling pieces of prose I've ever read. Thank you for trying to help people understand they're way off base if they want to make this story about "the American Dream". Perhaps if kids could get back to the times in which people could think more deeply, have less perpetual distraction and the like, comprehension skills could be much more trust worthy. Best regards.

Someone should write a paper on the literary depiction of the American Salesman from the 19th century 'drummers' in Mark Twain and Owen Wister etc. to Glengarry Glen Ross.

On the topic of "celebrity" and having one's name be continued: contrast this with another Miller play, The Crucible, toward the end where Proctor laments that his soul has been taken but he pleads for his name when Danforth attempts to extract a confession. Kind of the opposite of Loman in a way, where Proctor is liberated in the sense of awareness of his predicament. Willie doesn't have that luxury. I'm 29 and writing like I'm in AP Lit again. Death of a Salesman hits way harder post college.

Willy loahman gonna sell them all in New England

I think this play is about the utter emptiness of materialism as a quest presented as the sum total of meaning of life. The idea that you can have everything and it means nothing when you get it and even worse for those trying to spend their whole lives trying to get it and measuring their worth by how much they get of materialism. For me it's about decent people destroyed by their obsession with it. Spiritual desolation.

This teacher or "professor" misses the whole point of writing a critical essay on a play or literature: make your argument supported by textual, historical, or cultural evidence. So, there is or should be no problem at all at one making a case that the play expresses aspects of the American dream, AS LONG AS ONE DEFINES CLEARLY WHAT IS MEANT BY THE AMERICAN DREAM. The teacher thinks that by default the student or writer who focuses on the American dream theme will necessarily write on a theme too broad and lacking in concreteness. While this often can be the case, one can certainly write a paper focusing on the American dream that includes the idea if the American dream as celebrity, of being known. To conclude, the podcaster might want to practice what he reaches by providing specific examples of a thesis that is far to general as opposed to one that is more specific. In fact, he might encourage writers to challenge themselves by writing a paper on why the play is not about the American dream. Regards--CGM

Excellent analysis - thank you.

I don't believe it! Another American academic who doesn't understand this play: A quintessential American narrative. Of course you are resistant to the description of the American Dream as rancid: You are living it! It is YOU! Very poor analysis.

Actually this classic and greatest of American plays , even more than the novel The Great Gatsby , is the greatest commentary on the so called illusionary " American Dream" in the history of literature. That it can be interpreted and applied universally, as well, makes it a timeless masterpiece.

He's simply flat out wrong. It's unfortunate he lacks the intellectual capacity or depth to understand this reality . The play is most definitely about how the so called American Dream is illusory and gradually robs one of a true self identity or influences an unhealthy self identity . The hub of our American capitalistic system and its attendant foundations of "getting ahead" in career as " success" , the acquisition of capital as a means of defining one's self worth, and emphasis on youth , degrade and erode the dignity and spirit of the human condition rather than enhance the essence of what constitutes true worthwhile living . The idea of an American Dream is that if one works hard , accumulates wealth, obtains stature in one's career which is earned over time , and acquires a nice car, a nice house , and other material yet superficial things, than this will ensure " happiness and well being " In Death of a Salesman , we see that Willy Loman , aging hard worker , has none of these things. His car is breaking down, the house is humble and someone else's "progress" has led to the loss of 2 trees in his diminishing back yard. Things are broken or breaking down just as his health is breaking down, both physically and mentally. At his age , merit dictates that he be the boss of his region but instead his youthful boss is now calling the shots and relegating a once successful Salesman to the least desirable and most difficult routes to sell. His family is far from the American Dream. He has a lazy son , and there is increased tension between him and his off spring. Clearly, this classic play is universal and timeless in its message but it is absolutely Ground Zero of American Capitalism , NYC where supposedly if you" can make it there you can make it anywhere ". He physically dies but the title of the play is more about his death as a human being mentally and spiritually as it too late, dawns on him , that his dream in our America,the richest nation on earth, was a sham. The brilliant vision created by Miller of a relative who took a trip and discovered something that made him rich is seen by brainwashed, disentigrating , and disillusioned Loman as the lost opportunity or regret that he did not go that route. This is the essence of what capitalism and the American Dream actually does to the minds of the vast majority of the masses .....to cause regret and, yes, ultimately that people actually blame themselves when they fail to achieve the American Dream. Whether you point fingers and blame others for the sadness or failures in your life as Loman does, or whether one regrets one's own decisions or feels guilt as Loman also does, it does not really matter because in the end the American Dream is not only illusory or unattainable for most , but worse , it is an unhealthy Dream that contains in its very construct or essence that which is dehumanizing. The acquisition of material things, and or the celebration of primarily youth only, and the constant bombardment to our senses by superficial advertisement that seeks to define what will constitute making you happy , robs us of true dignity, true self identification, until it becomes too late to better appreciate what true value is in life.

naturally directed ....lol let's face it u are just trying to be unique and u dont have the rhetoric to explain the major themes and ur kids being successful is part of the dream man I hope my students dont watch u stop trying to reinvent the wheel btw what school did u go to Rowan

Yeah, fame is definitely a huge component of “the American dream”.

Interesting video. Makes me wonder if Jason has yet noticed that, for his modern students, celebrity /is/ the American Dream. "Tiktoker/youtuber" is quite literally the most popular career (so to speak) ambition among kids today. I wonder if Willie's idea of celebrity is the same as theirs. I think it is. I think kids today want to be famous, without wanting to do anything worth being famous for. Willie is more or less the same, I think. He wants to be a celebrated salesman, but he doesn't see that he's not actually done enough to earn that status.

Immortality. Perhaps that is a better term than celebrity, which is fleeting; immortality, like De Beers, is forever?

Every time I see the play, I have different impressions. The first time I saw it, I felt it was about a hardworking sod who had two idiot sons. The wife was an appendage he didn't quite love and so he did himself in. The 2nd time I saw it, I thought it was about how capitalism promotes delusions among the workers. That despite their modest means, they can aspire to greatness because of American global dominance. The 3rd time I saw it, I disliked Willie and felt he was a jerk for never being home and raising his sons. If they were idiots, then wasn't it his fault? I thought the wife was deluded about her husband and the sons were right--that he was a loser who raised losers. The 4th time I saw it, all I could think about was my dad. A man who served in WWII and didn't have much of an education. He went to Mexico after the war to find a wife and raise a family. He ruled with a strong hand and wanted his children to proudly carry his name and ways. We felt more like things than people growing up; our parents playing their parts, until it was clear none of us could survive in that forced and often brutal environment. Now we are all blown to different parts of the world. In my old age, my sympathies for my dad are great. This play puts me in touch with what his failures might have meant to him. How deeply disappointing things were, but how hard he tried to put on a good show. Interestingly, all of my siblings like to tell jokes, sing, etc. We are the family that always entertains and never really talks.

The movie sucked HARD just stupid

I wrote a very good paper on this.

It an recent interview on British BBC documentary 'Imagine' just before his death he states it was about an individual & the system he works in (careful not to use the word Capitalism here as he has to sell tickets & books). Go to BBC Sounds where you will find it.

I agree with this interpretation. Willy went over the edge when Biff stated that he was a "dime a dozen".

Ha ! In the fourteen minutes you have been speaking you have not mentioned the main thing this play is all about. Its pretty obvious to me this play is all about EGO. Willy Loman is one of perhaps dozens of people you have met in your life who have massive EGOs that have not and will not ever be satisfied. He is a massively disappointed man . Totally unfulfilled and empty. This play has become so popular because like all good works we can all relate to Willy Loman if we are honest and perhaps we can even see something of Willy Loman in ourselves. Working in industry I have met dozens of Willy Lomans in my lifetime and I think most people have.

Arthur Miller said himself that it is, in fact, about the shortfallings of capitalism and the American dream.

"Celebrity" was not Willie Loman's goal, it was "respect." Having his last name known, even after death, wasn't about celebrity but respect. Once you realize this, all the scenes make sense. Scene after scene, he wanted the sales world to show respect. Willie wanting a crowd at his funeral would be a confirmation of respect, not a need for celebrity. He wanted to obtain respect through success but achieved neither.

I watched "The Glass Menagerie" a week before I watched Miller's play. Miller's play doesn't come near being as splendid as "The Glass Menagerie."