Introduction
The American Dream is an old expression used to describe an ideal future that people dream of achieving. This concept has a long history and has spanned decades to gain more meaning and to change its definition. It has become a popular and essential aspect of American culture and society. It was inspired by those who were looking for success, financial security, and happiness, as well as freedom and justice.
This concept is also widely explored in Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman and Sam Shepard’s True West. In Death of a Salesman, the protagonist, Willy Loman, is an aging salesman who desperately tries to live out the American Dream of success and material wealth. In True West, the main characters, Austin and Lee, are two brothers with very different ideas about the American Dream. Both plays demonstrate the dangers of pursuing the American Dream and the consequences that can arise from an obsession with success and material wealth.
American Dream in Death of a Salesman
The American Dream is a fundamental theme in Arthur Miller’s play Death of a Salesman, which follows the life of Willy Loman, an aging, insecure, and self-deluded salesman. The play is a scathing critique of the American Dream, which at its core promises success, wealth, and happiness to anyone who works hard enough to achieve it. Instead, Willy’s pursuit of the American Dream has led to his eventual failure and tragedy.
The American Dream is rooted in the idea of the self-made man, or the idea that anyone can achieve financial success and social status with hard work and dedication. Willy’s concept of the American Dream is based on his belief that success comes from popularity, charisma, and being well-liked. This is evident in his attempts to make Biff a successful football player, which he believes will lead to wealth and high social status (Miller, 1996). He also attempts to get Biff a job through his contacts, assuming that the power of his network will lead to success.
Unfortunately, Willy’s pursuit of the American Dream is misguided, as success does not come through popularity or networking but rather hard work and dedication. Despite his attempts to give Biff an easy path to success, it is Biff’s hard work and commitment that eventually pays off and leads to his eventual success. Willy’s failure and eventual death are due to his misguided pursuit of the American Dream (Miller, 1996). He cannot accept that success comes from hard work and dedication and instead believes that success results from being well-liked and having a solid network.
The play also shows the dangers of the American Dream, as Willy cannot accept the failure that comes with it. He cannot assume that his pursuit of the American Dream has failed and instead lives in a world of delusion and lies. He cannot accept that he is a failure and continues to live in his delusion (Marwinda & Englishtina, 2022). The play serves as a warning about the dangers of the American Dream and a reminder that success does not come quickly and that failure is a part of life.
Thus, Death of a Salesman critiques the American Dream and warns of its dangers. The play shows the tragedy that can result from a misguided pursuit of the American Dream and reminds us that achievement takes time, and setbacks are a natural part of life. The play is a powerful reminder to be realistic in our pursuit of success and to accept failure when it comes.
American Dream in True West and Comparison of Both Plays
In Sam Shepard’s play True West, the concept of the American Dream is explored in various ways. The play is set in the present day, in a house in the suburbs that belongs to Lee and Austin’s mother. Lee and Austin are two brothers who have very different personalities and aspirations. Lee is a drifter and a thief, while Austin is a successful screenwriter. Their mother is absent, leaving the two men to grapple with their differences on their own.
Throughout the play, the two brothers battle for dominance. Lee is determined to prove his worth and show that he is just as capable of achieving the American Dream as Austin is. He wants to show that he can be successful, even if it means resorting to criminal activity (Shepard, 2018). On the other hand, Austin is determined to protect what he has achieved and to keep Lee out of his life.
The play shows how the American Dream is an elusive concept. Even though both brothers have the potential to achieve it, they never seem to reach their goals. Lee constantly tries to rise to the top, but his criminal activities and inability to stay focused always get in the way (Shepard, 2018). Meanwhile, Austin is so concentrated on protecting his success that he needs to consider the possibility of achieving more.
Therefore, True West is a powerful exploration of the American Dream and how it can be both a blessing and a curse. The play shows that success is possible, but one must be willing to work hard and take risks to make it a reality (Shepard, 2018). It also shows that no matter how hard one tries, sometimes the American Dream can be out of reach and that it is essential to accept this reality and move on.
In both plays, the American Dream is used to explore the concept of the pursuit of the “ideal” life through material success. In Death of a Salesman, the main character, Willy Loman, becomes increasingly disillusioned with his life and desperate to make something of himself. In True West, the concept of the American Dream is similarly explored but with a darker twist. The two main characters, Austin and Lee, represent the two sides of the American Dream (Marwinda & Englishtina, 2022). The play suggests that pursuing the American Dream is futile, as neither Austin nor Lee can achieve it.
Overall, Death of a Salesman and True West explores the concept of the American Dream differently. In Death of a Salesman, the American Dream is presented as an unattainable goal, while True West presents it as a false promise. Both plays suggest that the American Dream is ultimately an illusion and that it is impossible to achieve true success and happiness by pursuing it.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller and True West by Sam Shepard explore the American Dream differently. Willy Loman, the protagonist of Miller’s play, is a tragic figure who lives in the past and pursues an imaginary version of the American Dream. In contrast, Austin, the protagonist of Shepard’s play, is a desperate figure who pursues a tangible version of the American Dream. Willy’s pursuit of the American Dream leads to his downfall, while Austin’s pursuit of the American Dream leads to his success. Both plays show that the American Dream is a complex concept that can be pursued in many different ways and that it is vital to recognize its many facets to achieve success.
References
Marwinda, K., & Englishtina, I. (2022). Understanding the hidden meaning of Death of a Salesman. Rainbow: Journal of Literature, Linguistics and Culture Studies, 11(2), 35-43.
Miller, A. (1996). Death of a Salesman: Revised Edition. Penguin.
Shepard, S. (2018). True west. Faber & Faber.