Essays --

Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman shows us how one mans blind opinion in a misconception of the American Dream becomes an obsession of accomplishment that destroys his carriage and nearly that of his family.Millers main character Willy Loman somehow comes to believe that success ever so comes to those who argon well liked and good looking. His downf every live(predicate) is that he does non equate success with hard work and perseverance. This faulty thinking keeps him from achieving his goals of wealthiness and status. His boys Biff and Happy are taught the same faulty values and are destined to fail as well.The devastating effects of Willys obsession are seen throughout the family starting with Willy who begins to lose his mind and his confidence that he provide someday prevail. He is torn between denial that he is at last a failure and desperation to succeed at any cost. In Willys opinion a man without success is nothing.Linda, Willys adoring married woman weathers Willys ups and downs with intentness and hope that someday he will realize that he is successful. She believes that a home, a loving family, and food on the table are wholly anyone needs. Linda says to him why must everybody conquer the world? Youre well like and everyone loves you (p292). She is oft trying to point out his accomplishments, but, he turns a blind eye.Happy, Willys youngest watchword is truly a mess. He follows in his fathers footsteps into the business world, where he is avowedly unhappy, yet continues because it is what is expected of him. He, like Willy believes that success is the measure of a man. He says I gotta show some of those pompous, self important executives over in that respect that Hap Loman can make the grade (p 250). We see his blind trust to succeed and know hes headin... ...g Charley, theres more of him in that front stoop than in all the sales he ever made (p328).The final lamentation of this play includes some brilliant lines. Most importantly, Lindas final words at her husbands grave Willy, dear I cant cry, why did you do it, I research and search and I search, and I cant understand it, Willy. I made the last payment on the house today. Today, dear, and therell be nobody home. Were free and clear. Were free...Were free... (p329). Linda knew all along what was important, and now Willy has died before ever realizing how much success he really had a true friend in Charley, and the love of his wife and sons. His home, paid for and fixed up with his own two hands. If anything can be learned from the life of Willy Loman, it is that sometimes what we wish for is not what we need, and by straining blindly we might miss what we have.