Death of a Salesman Theme of Visions of America

While characters such as Willy, Linda, and Happy believe the U.S. to be a wellspring of easy opportunity and imminent success, the 1940s America of Death of a Salesman is crowded, competitive and mundane. This contrast sets up an important gap between reality and characters’ aspirations in the play. In the end, Willy’s belief that his self-worth is determined by material success destroys him.

1. Does Death of a Salesman attack the American Dream? If so, how?
2. Compare and contrast the depictions of the East Coast and the American West in Death of a Salesman. What do different geographic regions represent to Willy? Ben? To Happy and Biff?

By directly linking his sense of self-worth to the achievement of the American Dream, Willy’s professional failure becomes personal failure and a crisis of identity.

Biff’s struggle in Death of a Salesman is primarily one of separating his sense of self-worth from his professional life.