Matthew Lopez
Mr. Blaisdell
AP Literature and Composition
27 February 2012
The Misconception of the American Dream Family relationships, in many literary works, are often essential to the entire plot; not only is there hardship and agony, but confrontation and conflict that arise in the family. The pressures brought upon growing up a particular way, in addition to succeeding are all a reflection based off the parents themselves, and there standards. In Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman,” the relationship between Willy and his sons, Biff and Happy Loman can be considered -- not “typical.” It is a relationship based on success and the persistence to lead a life, that in reality, cannot be lived. Willy and his relationship with his sons is determined by parental pressure, struggles within himself, and the American Dream. During multiple father-son relationships, there are plenty of times where a father thinks he knows best, which may or may not be true. Willy however, strictly imposes his lifestyle on his two sons and will not approve of anything different; he has illustrated his values, as well as pressured them to become what he wants. Despite his desire, Willy believes that, “Biff Loman is lost. In the greatest country in the world a young man with such -- personal attractiveness, gets lost. And such a hard worker. There’s one thing about Biff -- he’s not lazy” (1215). Willy Loman does not understand that Biff’s potential stopped short because of him; he continues to believe that Biff has not lived his dream, just to indulge himself. The consistent strain Willy put upon his sons deprived them of succeeding by their own, which ultimately was a failure in their father’s eyes. Through out the play, Arthur Miller developed Willy as a crazed and delusional man as he aged. He falsely illustrates himself unlike anyone else, and holds himself to a higher