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Witalec argues that Willie cheats “out of loneliness for his wife, Linda. Willy makes decisions without understanding that his actions will have an effect on others. Here he realizes that he focused more on working than spending quality time with his kids and now that he has almost paid off his home, his children are adults. You finally own it and there’s nobody to live in it” (Miller, 2330). As his wife tells him that they almost have the house paid off, he states “…work a lifetime to pay off a house. Truth emerges when he realizes his flaws and shows empathy as he realizes his wrong-doings. Instead, Willy commits suicide in order for his family to achieve the materialistic gift he believes they want most, his twenty thousand dollar life insurance check.Īs a result of his decision, he misses out on a happy, comfortable life and also takes himself away from his family. Willy’s family only wants his effort and for him to be an active member in the family. He thinks that the greatest gift he could give to his family is his life insurance money, which is anything but the truth. Instead of giving his sons his effort, “he chooses to sacrifice himself in order to give his sons the material wealth he has always desired” (Witalec, 145). When he finally comes up with a solution, the idea is so misconstrued and, once again placing a high value on money, “when realizes that his true value lies in being a good father” as Witalec explains. Not being as successful and wealthy as his father and brother makes him jealous and regretful of the choices in his life. In the end, Willy’s love for money and insecurities finally overpower him. This shows that although his priorities are confused, he also realizes what is really important. He sometimes chooses his family over making money, for example, passing up the opportunity to make money with Ben. Although his mind is very misguided, it is obvious in the play that he realizes his own mistakes and actually does love his wife and sons. For him, money equals satisfaction and nothing else can give him the same feeling. Janet Witalec, a critic of Miller points out that his love for money “keeps him from acknowledging the value of human experience-the comforts of personal relationships, family and friends, and love” (Witalec, 145). Not only are Willy’s goals becoming increasingly hindering on his mind, but he also has issues with neglecting his family. This gives credibility to the argument that Willy has deluded dreams of achieving goals that are impossible for him achieve. The essay explains that “the downfall of Willy Loman, a salesman whose misguided notions of success result in disillusionment.” (Marowski, Danil G. A critical essay explains how the American Dream can effect an individual negatively or positively. Willy’s thoughts are filled with a low self esteem, a love for money, and the self- made competition he has created with the three successful men that he admires most. For most, the American Dream is a small house with a white picket fence and a family that lives comfortably.įor most people the American Dream is exactly that, a dream, but for Willy Loman this dream becomes an obsession which causes his extreme disillusionment. A person can dream of having a mansion made of marble and gold with a million dollars, but in reality that is very rare and unlikely. Poverty stricken and even middle class citizens have to live economically and work hard for their families in order to maintain what little treasures they have accumulated. America is known for equal opportunities and the chance to make dreams come true unfortunately, for most people, obtaining their lofty goals is impossible. “The Land of Opportunity” some say, is a chance to make millions and live out your wildest fantasies. The American Dream is known by people all across the world, and brings millions to America every year. Being a modern day tragedy, Death of a Salesman examines the effects of what can happen when a person chasing the American Dream has a mind filled with greed and deluded expectations. Willy often neglects his family’s needs, because he is so blinded by the thought of vast riches that are unattainable for him. “The tragic play Death of a Salesman written by Arthur Miller is a story about a salesman named Willy Loman, who spends his whole life with a deluded dream of achieving lofty goals in an unforgiving society.