Willy Loman's Life Is Symbolic of the Failure of the American Dream Essay Example
Task; Willy Loman’s failed life is symbolic of the American Dream’s failure. Referring closely to the text, to what extent do you agree?
The idea of an American Dream is older than the United States, when people began to come up with all sorts of hopes and aspirations for the new and largely unexplored continent. It was the thought of by emigrant escaping to America from other countries that are experiencing hardship. For example, the Irish were in the middle of the Irish war of independence, the Germans were poor after world war one, Italy were being ruled by a fascist and was totalitarian country. These people were looking for a free life, America. Many of these dreams focus on owning land, social mobility and establishing prosperous businesses, which would theoretically generate happiness. The president of the time Franklin D. Roosevelt he was a firm believer in the American dream. Willy Loman’s failed life isn’t quite symbolic of the failure of the American dream, because Willy’s dreams and aspirations do not follow the American dream. Willy is focused on being well liked. He thinks you need a special personality to get anywhere in life, and that he and Biff have that. Biff says, “He had all the wrong dreams all, all wrong”. He wants to be a self made man but is not going the right way. He says, “I’m not a dime a dozen.” He tries to break out of the barrier stopping him, he is not special but this attempt at showing the world he is not an average man, actually makes him special. He is refusing to accept it. He becomes a tragic hero. They have a downfall, but there is a small light of hope. The audience are hoping for a happy ending, but it is obvious that it cannot end that way. Willy brought his kids up to think they are special and they can accomplish anything, until they grow up and reach the real world. For example, Years ago at Biffs football match before his maths exam. Bernard tells Willy that Biff needs to study, but Willy is focused on
The idea of an American Dream is older than the United States, when people began to come up with all sorts of hopes and aspirations for the new and largely unexplored continent. It was the thought of by emigrant escaping to America from other countries that are experiencing hardship. For example, the Irish were in the middle of the Irish war of independence, the Germans were poor after world war one, Italy were being ruled by a fascist and was totalitarian country. These people were looking for a free life, America. Many of these dreams focus on owning land, social mobility and establishing prosperous businesses, which would theoretically generate happiness. The president of the time Franklin D. Roosevelt he was a firm believer in the American dream. Willy Loman’s failed life isn’t quite symbolic of the failure of the American dream, because Willy’s dreams and aspirations do not follow the American dream. Willy is focused on being well liked. He thinks you need a special personality to get anywhere in life, and that he and Biff have that. Biff says, “He had all the wrong dreams all, all wrong”. He wants to be a self made man but is not going the right way. He says, “I’m not a dime a dozen.” He tries to break out of the barrier stopping him, he is not special but this attempt at showing the world he is not an average man, actually makes him special. He is refusing to accept it. He becomes a tragic hero. They have a downfall, but there is a small light of hope. The audience are hoping for a happy ending, but it is obvious that it cannot end that way. Willy brought his kids up to think they are special and they can accomplish anything, until they grow up and reach the real world. For example, Years ago at Biffs football match before his maths exam. Bernard tells Willy that Biff needs to study, but Willy is focused on