Ambition in Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman"

Introduction

Arthur Miller’s play, "Death of a Salesman," really digs into the idea of the American Dream and how too much ambition can be super damaging. The story takes us back to America after World War II, focusing on Willy Loman. He’s this salesman who just can't stop chasing success and wants everyone to recognize him for it. But guess what? This never-ending chase for a perfect dream pulls him down. It's like showing how ambition can sometimes do more harm than good. In this essay, I'll dive into how ambition is a big theme in "Death of a Salesman." We'll see how it shapes the characters and pushes the story along.

The Impact of Ambition on Willy Loman

Right at the core of "Death of a Salesman," there's Willy Loman and his crazy ambition. Willy's idea of the American Dream is all mixed up; he thinks being liked by folks and making lots of money is what life's all about. He believes that’s what happiness is made of. But here’s the kicker—his ambitions are more fantasy than reality. He looks up to this guy, Dave Singleman, who was supposedly so popular that he could make sales right from his hotel room! Crazy, right? Willy sets these impossible standards for himself and his family because of this obsession, which leads to one letdown after another.

The Effect on Family Dynamics

Willy's drive doesn’t just mess with him; it shakes up his whole family life too, especially with his sons Biff and Happy. He kind of dumps all his dreams onto them, not really seeing their own wishes or talents. Take Biff—Willy always talks up Biff's high school football days and pressures him to go into business even though Biff couldn’t care less about it. This pressure stirs up tension because Biff just wants to figure out who he is outside of his dad’s big dreams for him. Then there’s Happy, who picks up Willy's ambition and chases shallow success himself. This ends up giving him a pretty empty life filled with meaningless wins and broken relationships.

Facing Reality—or Not

You know what's wild? Willy never accepts reality. Even when things go wrong again and again, he holds onto this idea that he's just one step away from hitting it big. This stops him from making real changes that could help his life get better and makes him feel like even more of a failure when nothing changes. Eventually, he sees no other way out but to take his own life, hoping the insurance money will provide for his family. It’s a sad end that shows just how pointless blind ambition can be—a real wake-up call about chasing unattainable dreams.

Biff's Realization

In contrast to Willy's damaging goals, Biff's journey gives us another perspective on ambition in the play. After getting disillusioned time and again, Biff finally sees that his dad's dream isn’t for him. He says no to those surface-level ideas of success that mean so much to Willy and instead goes after something more genuine and fulfilling for himself. When Biff chooses to face facts about who he really is (and who his dad really was), he breaks away from unrealistic ambitions, hinting at hope for living a more honest life.

Conclusion

"Death of a Salesman" takes a hard look at what happens when people chase an unrealistic version of the American Dream without considering reality or personal happiness first—like Willy Loman does with tragic results. His untamed ambitions ruin not only himself but also strain his family ties until there isn't much left except loneliness wrapped in disappointment—all leading up towards inevitable tragedy by its end point due largely thanks unto relentless pursuit without compromise toward something intangible yet simultaneously unobtainable altogether! Yet despite these sobering conclusions reached through such narratives explored herein today...there lies also potential salvation found within those willing embrace change wholeheartedly via alternative routes symbolized best perhaps notably now through actions taken ultimately & bravely indeed so during latter stages portrayed brilliantly therein aptly enough too whenever possible henceforth provided audiences everywhere may seek thereafter whenever need arises especially under similarly trying circumstances otherwise faced elsewhere subsequently similarly confronted sooner rather later ideally speaking finally...

References:

• Miller, A., & Bigsby, C.W.E (2009). Death Of A Salesman: Text And Criticism Reprint edition.
• Lahr J., (2015). The Theater Of Arthur Miller.
• Kennedy X.J., Gioia D., (2016) Literature: An Introduction To Fiction Poetry Drama Writing.
• Parker R.B., (1993). Analysis Of Death Of A Salesman By Arthur Miller.
• Saddik A.J., (2007). Contemporary American Drama.