Playwright, Arthur Miller's insightful plays about the realities of life with the traumas and displaced dreams of the ordinary middle class people, prove even more so in "Death of a Salesman."

Forced up against the wall in a world that was radically changing after World War II, the lead character, Willy Loman, is bent upon self-destruction. Willie's dreams are based on his own individual interpretation of what's good which he believes is popularity, financial gains and success or the so called "American Dream". He has not learned to become flexible with his apparent changing situations

How does Willie end up the hapless character? Do we feel sorry for him or dislike him? Willie Loman is at the end of his career, and the underlying tension within him develops. The further lack of respect from others pushes him to feel discarded. Willy Loman had options. He had a lot of opportunities

This then trickles more fallout into his personal life as well. He can not comprehend that holding so tightly on to this dreams destroyed the image he believed in of his family and alienated his children. These past dreams that had guided him do not make it in the new suburban-dominated world where Willie must try to survive, compete and face reality
He portrays himself as magnificent, self reliant, while his sons are more than just disappointing to him. He deludes himself that they are traitors to his ambitions for them.

There is much dramatic tension between him and his sons, who have in their own way nothing but contempt for Willie, his beliefs, his faith in them and his illusions. Both sons are in their mid-thirties, although they have never matured and act as though they are teens.
Happy is the ignored son with a steady job. Willie's dream is for him is the American Dream; to settle down, have a good position with the company and get married. In reality, his job is just that; a job to have money for a good time. He sleeps around and has no interest in a family.

Willie's favorite son, Biff will never be a success in business and works on migrant farms and ranches. The arguments always escalate with Biff and his father when he comes home for a visit. The dream of Willy Loman for Biff is a success beyond belief, yet, Biff can not hold down a 9-to-5 job to save his life.

As in the case of Willie's notion that his children are rebellious, love, at least everyone's conception of it, finally appears. But that is not good enough to save him in the end is one of the lessons to be learned from the play about dying dreams.

It appears that the dream that is dispelled is the "American Dream" from the words written by Arthur Miller in this American classic. The story and connection are from the playwright's personal beliefs of the middle class and not that just of the characters. Miller may be claiming that Corporate America drains the life out of people and casts them away when they are no further use, as in the case of Willie and many others even today. The play only exemplifies this belief even in the 21st century. But the character, Willy, turns down a new opportunity by his successful neighbor without a valid reason as to why. He is given that second chance that eludes many of us, but instead does not allow him give up his old, soured, never to occur dreams.

Learn more about this author, Veronica Shine.
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