Death of a Salesman---Blog 4

At the beginning of Act II, there seems to be a sense of hope among everyone. Willy seems hopeful that Biff and Happy will get settled with new jobs, and Linda is hopeful that Willy will not kill himself when she finds the rubber tube gone. Despite the hope found at the beginning of the Act, there is darkness among Willy. I have noticed that not once throughout the play has the reader figured out what it is that Willy sells when at work. Clearly he is trying to achieve the “American Dream,” but because of his unhappiness, he hasn’t quite reached it. Through the aphoristic lines in the play, Miller is able to convey the message that in search of fulfilling the “American Dream,” Willy ends up selling his life, his time, and his entire being to his business. Willy believes that by constantly working and making money, he will be able to achieve the perfect life, but in reality, more times than not, simplicity is better. Now that Willy has been fired, will he stay at home and find happiness with his family, or will he continue wasting his life by working constantly?