Is society to blame when the installation of hope in the American Dream backfires? The major theme in Death of a Salesman was the pursuit of this dream. Miller details Willy Loman's misguided quest of this dream. Arthur Miller's depiction of the American Dream in Death of a Salesman was written in postwar America. At that time, the idea was more than just a phrase; it was a way of life. In efforts to further the reader's understanding of the story, one must define the American Dream. After World War II, the United States flourished economically. The idea of prosperity was the root of the American Dream. The idea of capitalism was reborn and by living in a capitalist society, everyone in America had a chance to become rich and successful. To put it simply, the American Dream was defined as "an American ideal of a happy and successful life to which all may aspire: the American Dream represented a reaffirmation of traditional American hopes."" Miller makes the reader realize the dream is a falsehood, because it is not for everyone. In the play, Death of a Salesman, Willy Loman is a perfect example of someone who is trying to pursue this dream. The word "death- in the title not only refers to Willy's actual death but should also make a reference to "death- of the dream. The entire play is plagued with dishonesty and denial of reality, in which these characteristics do not allow Willy Loman to achieve personal fulfillment. Willy Loman's life is far from happy and successful.
The idea of the American Dream is to have a house, car, and a family. The boom in the economy had a direct effect on a single American family. "The automobile industry was partially responsible, as the number of automobiles produced annually quadrupled between 1946 and 1955. A housing boom, stimulated in part by easily affordable mortgages for returning servicemen, fueled the expansion."" The Loman's have a modest house between all of the big apartment buildings in the neighborhood.