Dreamsin Death Of A Salesman By Arthur Miller
Literature Review
Death of a salesman is one of the great plays written by the American writer Arthur Miller. The play is discussing the dreams that each member of the family has and how they work their life out to achieve these dreams. Critics have been studying closely the dreams of each character in the play, but paying deep attention to the dreams of the main Character 'Willy Loman'.
Some studies linked between the music played in Death of a Salesman and the mentality of the characters; 'The use of music does not only enable him to set up a dream-like aura but also gives Miller an opportunity to express Willy’s mental state in the play'(Bhat, 2017). Many critics linked the dreams of the salesman to American Dream by saying; 'Willy Loman is the quintessential ordinary man striving to achieve extraordinary dreams. Willy's search for the American Dream of fame, fortune, and admiration is the hallmark of his identity, but like many of his generation, he is unable to meet the unrealistic goals he has set out for himself'(Tracy & Robins, 2003). Also, others claimed that; 'the play constructs the American dream as harmful and unethical as long as it is based on selfish greed with no consideration for the good of the larger community' (Benziman, 2005).
While other studies stated; 'Miller's critics have tended to follow these descriptions of the American Dream, seeing it as a social and political idealism turned to a personal craving for profit'(Benziman, 2005). Nevertheless, more critics spoke about this play in terms of the American dream and explained that; 'Among the specifically American issues it addresses is the myth of the American Dream (Romero, 2005). To comment on that, I would say that Willy's dreams are somehow linked to the American dream, but it can be anyone's dream of having a good name. I prefer saying it is linked to American Dream, but part of it can be explained as a normal person's dream too which I will aim to explain more in my study.
Although some critics said, 'This dichotomy has to do with the tremendous pressure to live up to the demands of what Willy construes as the American dream: if you are not a great success, you are worth nothing'(Benziman, 2005). I would disagree with it by bringing the answer from Miller himself when he said in one of the interviews; 'that I had always lived in the belief that a good man could still make it, capitalism or no capitalism'(Novick, 2003(. The speech of Miller will support the aim of my study to show that the dreams of Willy can be normal dreams of any person and not necessarily linked to American Dream.
Others have claimed; 'He explicitly views himself in an idealized manner as a successful father and salesman, but his suicide attempts, which occur when he is in a semiconscious dream-state, suggest the presence of deep-seated feelings of self-doubt'(Tracy & Robins, 2003). While some other studies showed disagreement with Miller; 'Some critics and scholars, however, disagree with Miller's ideas on what constitutes the tragic condition and continue to view Willy as a misguided dream chaser'(Martin, 1996). Some critics emphasized their study on the dream of Willy; 'Willy Loman's dreams occupy half the play; they are the dreams of the entire world, the dreams of a happy, hopeful past and the inescapable dream of past guilt' (Popkin, 1960).
Furthermore; 'His dreams centre on Biff, his elder son because Biff is well liked and a star football player, Willy idolizes him and sees success for him'(Man, 1970). Other studies aimed to explain the dreams and ways of achievements as; 'These ideals, these dreams, can be examined in terms of four variables: transformation, prominence, synthesis, and unity'(Jacobson, 1975). Moreover; 'A suggestion becomes a project completed; a possibility becomes a dream fulfilled. When Biff tries to give him peace by making him accept that he is a failure and mediocrity and see that it makes no difference, Willy hears only what he wants to hear'(Weales, 1962(.
Willy and his dreams weren't the only characters that critics have been writing about, as some critics wrote about Biff and Linda Loman and said; 'Linda remained loyal, but her constancy cannot help Loman. She can play no significant role in her husband's dreams; and although she proves occasionally capable of dramatic outbursts' (Jacobson, 1975). And about Biff; 'Biff can say, at the end of Death of a salesman, 'he had the wrong dream' but we have seen enough of Willy to know that for this man there is probably no right dream (Weales, 1962). The last scene of the play has got the attention of critics when Ardolino said; 'Willy's insane conviction that his dreams will become reality through suicide' (Ardolino, 1998). Above all, I would say this piece of art is carrying great messages to its readers which the most important among them is failure of dreams the characters has.
Death of a Salesman is believed to be the ugly truth about the American Dream, in which the theme of the American dream is inevitable which can be seen throughout the narration. Willy Loman, who never realizes his failure in dreaming and living in delusion, is a main character that is having daydream and lives in his imaginations as it is considered to be an example of the American Dream. Having said that, explaining about the American dream and exploring it more in this research is a must:
The American Dream is a national dream of the United States citizen, which carries the aspects of rights, principles and liberty in it that people are trying to make them true. It is believed that it targets the economical dreams mostly and it has been the reason behind many issues for family, which Miller is giving one of these families as an example. Willy Loman the main character in the novel doesn’t have knowledge about his typical character of being a tragic hero. He keeps following his dreams and betrayal of his life, wife, and sons, and even his own self. The dreams made Willy not being able to see the amount of love his family hold for him, and how he was terrifying them by acting strange.
Willy’s believe that his dreams of becoming a very successful salesman and that his sons will be very well-know people through having good paid jobs made him suffer and destroyed his family as well. Oddly, his expectation for superficial and attractive life without taking life step by step and live all the struggles to reach what he deserves is odd to the concepts of the American dream that emphasizes working without complaining. He refused to believe in Bernard because he thought Bernard is a nerd although Bernard and his father were always helping him and giving him money when he needed without taking it back from him. Nevertheless, the father and his son were the only friends who joined Willy’s funeral.
