Write an Analytical Essay on Death of a Salesman Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller Willie Loman is a salesman whose hyperactive dreams of prosperity cause him to drift from reality. His anxiety is amplified by the fact that he is being squeezed out of his job. In his financial hardship, he appears to be both unable and unwilling to pursue another type of employment. The Assignment Discuss the idea developed by Arthur Miller on the way in which dreams of prosperity affect or are affected by hardship. Guidelines Write an essay in present tense. Carefully consider your controlling idea (or thesis) and how you will create a strong unifying effect. As you develop your ideas, support them with appropriate, relevant, and meaningful evidence from Death of a Salesman.

QUESTION

Write an Analytical Essay on Death of a Salesman
Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller
Willie Loman is a salesman whose hyperactive dreams of prosperity cause him to drift from reality. His anxiety is amplified by the fact that he is being squeezed out of his job. In his financial hardship, he appears to be both unable and unwilling to pursue another type of employment.

The Assignment

Discuss the idea developed by Arthur Miller on the way in which dreams of prosperity affect or are affected by hardship.

Guidelines

Write an essay in present tense. Carefully consider your controlling idea (or thesis) and how you will create a strong unifying effect. As you develop your ideas, support them with appropriate, relevant, and meaningful evidence from Death of a Salesman.

ANSWER

The Impact of Dreams of Prosperity on Hardship: An Analysis of Death of a Salesman

Introduction

Arthur Miller’s renowned play, Death of a Salesman, delves into the profound effects of dreams of prosperity in the face of hardship. Through the character of Willie Loman, a salesman on the brink of financial ruin, Miller explores the complex relationship between aspirations for success and the realities of life’s challenges. This essay will delve into the ways in which Willie’s dreams of prosperity are both influenced by and influence his experience of hardship, shedding light on the universal human struggle for achievement and the consequences it can entail.

Body Paragraph 1: The Allure of Prosperity

Willie Loman’s dreams of prosperity serve as a driving force behind his actions and perceptions. He envisions a life where success and wealth are within reach, and he is consumed by the desire to attain the American Dream. Miller portrays Willie as a character who idolizes material success, believing it to be the key to happiness and social acceptance. This relentless pursuit of prosperity blinds him to the hardships he faces and perpetuates a cycle of delusion.

Supporting Evidence 1: Willie’s belief in the power of likeability

Throughout the play, Willie places great importance on being well-liked and charismatic, believing that personal charm is the pathway to success. He consistently advises his sons to cultivate popularity, emphasizing that “the man who makes an appearance in the business world…is the man who gets ahead” (Miller, Act I). This fixation on surface-level charm highlights the influence of dreams of prosperity on Willie’s perception of success and creates an unrealistic expectation that hinders his ability to confront hardship effectively (Boiledegg, 2023).

Supporting Evidence 2: The significance of the American Dream

Miller uses the character of Willie Loman to critique the American Dream, presenting it as a false promise that can lead to disillusionment and despair. Willie’s unrelenting pursuit of success embodies the belief that hard work and determination alone will guarantee prosperity, irrespective of external circumstances. This idealistic notion exacerbates his hardship, as he fails to adapt to changing economic conditions and refuses to consider alternative avenues for employment.

Body Paragraph 2: Hardship’s Impact on Dreams of Prosperity

While Willie’s dreams of prosperity shape his perception of hardship, the experience of adversity also affects his aspirations. As he faces financial struggles and the erosion of his career, the gap between his dreams and reality widens, leading to an emotional and mental deterioration.

Supporting Evidence 1: Willie’s diminishing self-worth

As Willie confronts economic hardship, his self-esteem diminishes significantly. He becomes increasingly desperate to prove his worth and maintain his sense of dignity, refusing to accept help from his son Biff and resorting to lies and deceit to preserve his pride (Karim, 2020). This degradation of self-worth stems from the inability to achieve the prosperity he had envisioned, highlighting the profound impact of hardship on dreams of success.

Supporting Evidence 2: The clash between ideals and reality

Willie’s inability to adapt to changing circumstances further illustrates the influence of hardship on dreams of prosperity. He remains fixated on the traditional American Dream, which advocates individualism and material success, despite the shifting economic landscape (Is The American Dream Still Achievable? – American Creed, n.d.). The discrepancy between Willie’s aspirations and the reality of a competitive and unforgiving business world causes his dreams to crumble under the weight of hardship.

Conclusion

In Death of a Salesman, Arthur Miller paints a compelling portrait of the complex relationship between dreams of prosperity and the hardships faced by individuals like Willie Loman. Through Willie’s character, Miller reveals the allure of prosperity and the detrimental impact it can have on one’s ability to confront and overcome adversity. The play serves as a cautionary tale, urging us to critically examine the role of dreams and aspirations in our lives and to recognize the potential consequences when these dreams are untethered from the realities of hardship. By delving into the intricacies of Willie Loman’s journey, Miller invites us to reflect on the delicate balance between ambition and the harsh realities of life, offering valuable insights into the human struggle for success and the toll it can exact.

References

Boiledegg, F. (2023). A Portrayal of Gender and a Description of Gender Roles in Select. studylib.net. https://studylib.net/doc/26191655/a-portrayal-of-gender-and-a-description-of-gender-roles-i 

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340091481_Arthur_Miller’s_Death_of_a_Salesman_A_nightmare_for_a_dreamer 

Is the American Dream still achievable? – American Creed. (n.d.). https://writingourfuture.nwp.org/americancreed/responses/672-is-the-american-dream-still-achievable 

Karim, S. (2020). Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman : A nightmare for a dreamer. ResearchGate.