The American dream has a generally negative effect on
Willy, in his psychology and in his life. Willy becomes bent on achieving a dream of
success that is beyond him and this leads him to ignore his actual qualities and his
moderate successes.
Though Willy's brother Ben achieves
the success that Willy grasps after (in conversation, mostly), Willy is unable to act as
Ben does, boldly, confidently, etc.
For Willy, the
American dream consists of two things - being "well liked" and acquiring real wealth.
Though Willy and Linda manage to pay off their house, an accomplishment, they do not get
rich from Willy's time on the road as a salesman.
As the
play progresses, we see that Willy's chance to achieve the success he desires is
impossible. He is not a good enough salesman to get rich "selling" and never was. His
dream is a false dream. His dream is fine for someone else, but does not fit his stature
intellectually or emotionally.
His dedication to this
dream turns into delusion as evidenced by his hallucinatory conversations with Ben.
Finally, this dedication turns into destruction as Willy grasps at an ultimate solution
to the problem of his failure to succeed.
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