The American Dream
The American Dream was Willy's driving force. Willy saw the success of many Americans and believes the American Dream is live and well and will happen for him as well. The American Dream is said to be achieved through hard work, determination, and initiative. Willy's kids and wife have all mentioned how hard Willy works. Willy shows determination through how hard he is on himself when he is not as successful as he planned. Willy also takes initiative in knowing that he needs to step up his game as a salesman, and asks his boss for a promotion. Willy displays all of the characteristics of someone pursuing the American Dream, but his life is still perceived as a failure. The theme the American Dream is used in this novel to show that it is possible that not every American will achieve the dream.
The American Dream was Willy's driving force. Willy saw the success of many Americans and believes the American Dream is live and well and will happen for him as well. The American Dream is said to be achieved through hard work, determination, and initiative. Willy's kids and wife have all mentioned how hard Willy works. Willy shows determination through how hard he is on himself when he is not as successful as he planned. Willy also takes initiative in knowing that he needs to step up his game as a salesman, and asks his boss for a promotion. Willy displays all of the characteristics of someone pursuing the American Dream, but his life is still perceived as a failure. The theme the American Dream is used in this novel to show that it is possible that not every American will achieve the dream.
Defining Success in the 20th Century
The United States drastically changed socially and economically throughout the 20th century. Success was no longer defined as having enough to get by and stay alive. Success was measure by the money someone made, the social class people fell into, and the materialistic items a family could afford to buy. Willy constantly compared himself to Ben, Bernard and Charley; and they had more "success," than Willy. This new definition of success is what ultimately deemed Willy a failure.
The United States drastically changed socially and economically throughout the 20th century. Success was no longer defined as having enough to get by and stay alive. Success was measure by the money someone made, the social class people fell into, and the materialistic items a family could afford to buy. Willy constantly compared himself to Ben, Bernard and Charley; and they had more "success," than Willy. This new definition of success is what ultimately deemed Willy a failure.
Effects of Failure
Willy is a common man living a life of failure. He also equates not being successful to being a failure. Willy feels as though he has let his entire family down. Willy is not being successful at his job as a businessman, and is falling behind on having enough money to live a more than standard life. To make matters worse Willy believes that his sons have started to live a life of failure as well. Willy's jealousy is another effect of his failure for he rejects opportunities from successful people like his neighbor Charley, who offered him a job to make a better life for himself. All of these failures is what leads to Willy's depression and flashbacks. Willy's failures are what drive him to commit suicide.
Willy is a common man living a life of failure. He also equates not being successful to being a failure. Willy feels as though he has let his entire family down. Willy is not being successful at his job as a businessman, and is falling behind on having enough money to live a more than standard life. To make matters worse Willy believes that his sons have started to live a life of failure as well. Willy's jealousy is another effect of his failure for he rejects opportunities from successful people like his neighbor Charley, who offered him a job to make a better life for himself. All of these failures is what leads to Willy's depression and flashbacks. Willy's failures are what drive him to commit suicide.
Regret
Willy's flashbacks show that he not only lived a life of failure, but a life of regret as well. Willy's flashbacks are important in showing all the moments in his life where he regretted an action or decision. One of Willy's major regrets is having an affair with another woman, when he had such a loving and caring wife always looking after him. Happy and Biff also spark regret in Willy. Willy wonders why they have not become successful and if he has anything to do with it. Willy also is constantly mentioning how he used to be a good salesman, and regrets not asking for a promotion way sooner than he did. He may have deserved a promotion if he would have asked sooner. Regret is also seen in Willy's final moments when he is out planting his garden. Willy could have done something else with his life, but it is too late by this time and he just hopes the garden will grow and be successful unlike himself.
Willy's flashbacks show that he not only lived a life of failure, but a life of regret as well. Willy's flashbacks are important in showing all the moments in his life where he regretted an action or decision. One of Willy's major regrets is having an affair with another woman, when he had such a loving and caring wife always looking after him. Happy and Biff also spark regret in Willy. Willy wonders why they have not become successful and if he has anything to do with it. Willy also is constantly mentioning how he used to be a good salesman, and regrets not asking for a promotion way sooner than he did. He may have deserved a promotion if he would have asked sooner. Regret is also seen in Willy's final moments when he is out planting his garden. Willy could have done something else with his life, but it is too late by this time and he just hopes the garden will grow and be successful unlike himself.