The Disillusion of American Dream in Death of a Salesman英语112 冯文娟 11425203 Franklin showed the people by aphorism and even his experiences,the myth that as long as you hard work,it is possible to achieve the American dream of fame and fortune. And his 13 virtues,which brought him great success,has made many ambitious young men regard it as the motto, they are doing Cinderella-like dream, a dream to one day become a prince.Later,American Dream becomes one of the most important themes in American literature,it convinces people that if they work hard, everyone can get rich.However, the harsh reality broke many people's American Dream into pieces, resulting in a series of tragedy.Many writers in American literature attempt to reveal the illusion of American Dream through their works, to explore the conflict between the reality and the American Dream.Among them, Arthur Miller's play Death of a Salesman reveals the illusory American dream by analyzing the reasons of the character,Willy Loman’s death.It has exposed some of the ills of American society, crushing the myth that "everyone can be successful."When I read the brief introduction of this book,there is a question constantly around me.Why Willy chose to commit suicide finally?But when I finished this book,I find the answer.Perhaps because of the sever reality,Perhaps when hopes dashed , Willy’s heart can no longer afford.Willy Loman is the play's tragic figure. His tragedy is to own his wrong values tightly, and can not face the reality. His whole lifetime is spent in the whole dream , as well died resulting from the wrong dream .As far as I am concerned,Willy represents his class, so he's tragedy is also the unfortune of a group of people who are holding the successful dream.As his name, Lowman ,implies that he belongs to the low-rise character of society.He has nothing.As a salesman,he has no pay, only led commission.He just sells other people's stuff and he convinces that as long as likable, charming,the door of the world is open to him. His life is built on such dreams.He admires David Sigelman very much because David sells products successfully and he does not have to leave the hotel, only a phone call can bring him a successful deal.When he died at the 84-year-old age, there are so many consumers and companions take part in his funeral procession.So Willy always lives in a world of his own imagination,considering the fantasy as the reality,and often boasts. As he said “I’m the New England man.I’m vital in New England.”Regardless of the fact that his products are unwelcomed,he boasts how important he is in New England and how high his sales volume is.Consequently,he falls into his own lie and can never escape.What’s more,to his son,Biff Loman,he also tries his best to instill the thinking:Aslong as likable, attractive,you can succeed,the idea which causes Biff not to know himself correctly.Besides,Willy tends to tolerate Biff’s stealing behavior,contributing to a tragedy of the next generation.He persuades Biff to believe in his personal charm to make his old boss,borrow him plenty of money,but in fact,Biff failed.At last,The feud culminates with Biff hugging Willy and crying as he tries to get him to let go of the unrealistic dreams,Willy still mistakes Biff’s idea.He thinks that his son finally accepted his view,needed him.So he chose to commit suicide in order to have money left to him.Willy has been maintaining that he deserves to success.However,he does not understand the reality of the community and his own.He is eager to get the joy of life which has been deprived by the civilized society,therefore he has no choice but to see hopes die helplessly.Willy also delivers his unrealized dream to the next generation,but in vain to give them increased mental burden.His eldest son feels disappointed when his dreams shatter and ultimately nothing.Like his father,his younger son likes dreaming.As a father,Willy can not point out the way to success for his two sons,but gave them a series of misleading and bad influence,finally turn them into coxcombs.Even the end,Willy still sticks to his belief,he wanted $ 200,000 in exchange for premiums by commit suicide,left his sons for their careers.Death of a Salesman shows the tragedy of two generations,denying the myth that everyone can succeed.It reminds me of the Great Gatsby,he is also eager to make fortune,to realize his American Dream, ignoring his ugly side of the nature as well as his criminal acts.Similarly,Willy is to blame,but in order to avoid responsibility, he lives in a fantasy dream.After loosing all his dignity,he chooses suicide.He died,and it is the American Dream he seeks in his life that contributes his tragedy.Meanwhile,this tragedy is unavoidable,because he can not reject the dream and is addicted to the vision of American Dream-a new world,filled with chances,a perfect and unimaginable paradise.Through the Death of a Salesman,we should think about the difference between the reality and the vision dream.Everyone can succeed is an error,only those work hard can have the chance to succeed.Otherwise,one another tragedy like Willy will come in our life.References[1]Arthur Miller,推销员之死[M].上海：上海译文出版社，2011.04。