1. Critique of Material Success: Miller critiques the excessive emphasis placed on material wealth and financial success in the pursuit of the American Dream. The protagonist, Willy Loman, is a salesman whose life revolves around achieving material success, but he struggles financially throughout the play. His obsession with success and his inability to achieve it contribute to his tragic downfall.
2. Failure of Individualism: Miller questions the notion of rugged individualism and self-reliance as keys to success. Willy's belief that he can succeed through his own efforts is ultimately proven to be delusional. He relies heavily on his sons, Biff and Happy, to achieve his dreams, but they too fail to live up to his expectations. This highlights the limitations of individual efforts in the face of societal and economic challenges.
3. Illusion versus Reality: Miller explores the contrast between the illusion of the American Dream and the harsh realities of life. Willy clings to an idealized vision of success and happiness that is unattainable, while the truth of his life is marked by failure, deception, and disappointment. This gap between illusion and reality contributes to Willy's tragic demise and underscores the hollowness of the American Dream for many individuals.
4. Social and Economic Factors: Miller's portrayal of the American Dream acknowledges the influence of social and economic structures on an individual's pursuit of success. Willy's struggle to succeed is not solely a personal failure but also a product of societal pressures, economic disparities, and the harsh business world he operates in. This suggests that the American Dream is not equally attainable for all, as external factors can hinder or even render it impossible.
5. Legacy and Identity: Miller explores the impact of the American Dream on the formation of personal identity and the relationships within families. Willy's obsession with success negatively shapes the lives of his sons, contributing to their own failures and sense of inadequacy. The play raises questions about the consequences of pursuing an unattainable dream and how it affects not only the individual but also their family and community.
Through his critical examination of the American Dream in "Death of a Salesman", Miller challenges the prevailing ideas of success, individualism, and material wealth, while exposing the often-tragic consequences of wholeheartedly embracing this idealized vision of life.