Willy's fear

What is the American Dream? Who decides the American dream for you? In the play, Death Of A Salesman by Arthur Miller, the American dream is approached and challenged by the main character Willy Loman. Willy is set on a superficial American dream that good looks, popularity, and the success in business selling is the ultimate happiness. Willy cannot often tell the difference between his own life and his dream. He is an elderly salesman …

…to Ben's success. Willy's entire life is measured by his hard work and failure; however, he still wants to succeed more than anything and that pushes him to his fate. Willy's fear of abandonment from success leads Willy to conform his morals into superficial principles that he wants Biff and Happy to live by. He has given up on himself succeeding and wants to see his children finish the tragedy of a salesman with victory.