"We may have different backgrounds, but we believe in the same dream that this is a country where anything is possible. It doesn't matter who you are . It doesn't matter where you come from." -- President Obama, commenting on the American Dream The American Dream is a set of ideals in which freedom includes the possibility of prosperity and success. It is the belief that no matter how poor you start life, you can achieve upward social mobility. Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman crushes the philosophy of the American dream. Miller's ability to depict this illusory idea through the life and relationships of Willy Loman, a typical low-income American, is exquisite. was experiencing an economic boom, and Miller shows precisely the effect on the "normal" individuals and families of the population, through Willy and his family. The piece as a whole should not be considered in parts, but as an equivocal whole. in which Willy's life and death show the flawed elements of the so-called "American Dream." “Personal magnetism, making an impression, having contacts, being appreciated, this is the “secret” of success. But oddly enough, Willy doesn't like himself. (Ferguson). Throughout the play, Willy does nothing but preach to his sons, Biff and Happy, that to be successful you have to be well-liked, know everyone, and most importantly, have everyone know you. Willy, however, does not follow any of these components of the success ladder. The saddest thing is that he knows it. Willy Loman is “caught” by this American dream. This promotes business development around the world. Capitalism, along with the drive for profit and the competitive instinct, causes Willy to have a middle of paper...... has received a lot of attention and is noted by many as having an excellent interpretation of the American dream. The play accurately shows through Willy Loman, his life and his death, the true vision of the American dream in relation to the times. Works Cited Cummings, Michael. “Death of a Salesman.” Free study guides for Shakespeare and other authors. Np, and Web. May 14. 2015.http://www.cummingsstudyguides.net/Deathof.htmlFerguson, Alfred. Great playwrights. PA: Chelsea House Publishers, 2000. Print. Hey, William. “Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman and the American Dream.” Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. Ed. Harold Bloom. New York: Chelsea House, 1988. 47-58. Miller, Arthur. “Tragedy and the Common Man.” New York Times February 27, 1949: 3. the web. May 14. 2015.https://www.nytimes.com/books/00/11/12/specials/miller-common.html