Death of a Salsman

Act 1 and Act 2 Response Journals

After reading this book, it was very obvious to me that Willy believes completely in what he considers the American Dream. He believes that a well liked and personally attractive man in business will definitely acquire the material comforts offered by modern American life. Oddly, his fascination with the outward qualities of attractiveness is at odds with a rough, more rewarding understanding of the American Dream that identifies hard work without complaint as the key to success. Willy's interpretation of being liked is apparent. He childishly dislikes Bernard because he considers Bernard a nerd. The fascination that Willy holds with the American Dream becomes more of an obsession. He finds it hard to determine which life is his, and which is the life that he dreams of.
“And when I saw that, I realized that selling was the greatest career a man could want. 'Cause what could be more satisfying than to be able to go, at the age of eighty-four, int...