The+Death+of+a+Salesman


 * "The Death of a Salesman" and "A Doll House" in respect to The American Dream**

In the drama "The Death of a Salesman" written by Arthur Miller, there is a theme of an American dream throughout the entire piece. In this drama the main character, Willy Loman constantly discusses his dreams and goals. His wife Linda also talks about how she wants their future together to turn out. Both of these characters want the same thing for each other, but want something different for themselves. Willy wants to be a successful salesman in New York, he wants a raise and to be respected in his place of work. He also wants to move to the country and have chickens. He wants his sons to raise a family in his home. All of these things work into his personal American dream. Linda on the other hand wants all of these things for Willy, but she also wants her husband to slow down and take it easy. She wants her sons to become successful. She wants her sons and her husband to have a strong relationship. She wants to pay the bills and be free and clear. Both of these characters have a dream and work hard at trying to accomplish these dreams.



In the drama "A Doll House" written by Henrik Ibsen, there is also a strong theme of dreams and goals. The main character Nora Helmer has very different dreams from those of her husband, Torvald. Nora in the piece plays the innocent, gullible wife who does everything and anything her husband wants. She continues to stay this way until the end when her husband starts to not trust her because she lies to him. Then her personality changes and that is when we learn about her true goals and dreams. Nora wants to be free and clear, she wants to live without her husband's constant belittlement of her. She wants to get a job and not raise her children. She wants to live her life the way she wants without the pressure to be the bank manager's wife. Torvald on the other hand wants to be filthy rich and have the perfect family. He worries about others will say and wants to have the perfect self image. He wants everyone to love and respect him without him returning the favor. These two have completely different hopes and soon part ways to try and accomplish these goals without one another.