"Death of a Salesman may center on personal and family breakdown but it also involves contradictions in national American ideals." ... On the surface, Arthur Miller's groundbreaking play, Death of a Salesman, does seem firmly rooted in the "familial arena". ... This seems to represent a very male-orientated version of the "American Dream", and Miller explores this further through some of his male characters. ... Biff is also a part of this, longing for a simpler, rural life, and Willy's last-ditch attempt to grow a garden could be seen to symbolize this "agrarian frontier dream". ......

• Word Count: 1911
• Approx Pages: 8
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate