Death of Salesman Act I: Rhetorical Summary

The book Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller focuses on the generalization of the American Dream. The American dream is often defined by the idea that anyone, no matter how harsh their background is, can set up an extremely successful business and basically go from rags to riches. However Arthur Miller's book gives a very different take on it. The purpose of it is to show how some underestimate all the elements required to achieve the American Dream. The main character Willy Loman is used to represent the illogical illusions that some give themselves. The American Dream is often exaggerated in its promises by the people who believe it exists. In Death of a Salesman Willy Loman is determined to achieve the American Dream but goes about it in a very stubborn way and expects too much in return from it. He is involved in work of business because that is the profession or path that is most related to the American Dream. However, Willy Loman is more suited as a labor worker and lacks the intellect in sales management and distribution to ever be remotely successful in business. Willy is too stubborn to realize it until most of his life has gone to waste. In Death of a Salesman Willy is always depending on things to get better in the future but does nothing to influence it, eventually he realizes that the future is no longer the future-it is the present and begins to go mad with the failure he has become. This is very true in the modern world as well. Often times naïve entrepreneurs believe if they have enough “street smarts” they could make due without the “book smarts”, nevertheless like Willy they are very mistaken. There is a part in the book in which Willy makes a remark about vitamins having to do with chemistry to Charley, then goes on to telling him to not speak about what he doesn't know. This very ironic scene is the basis of the advice so many should take before risking all they have. If one knows nothing or lacks the talents required to be successful in a desired profession, they cannot be stubborn and remain ignorant about the requirements. To accomplish the American Dream one must be ambitious as Willy was, but also have the ability to adapt to the changes the surrounding might have. If one isn't prepared to face the instability and uncertainty that the pursuit of the American Dream has then they cannot expect to achieve it. The audience this book was intended for is those who wish to pursuit the American Dream.


Miller, Arthur. Death of a Salesman. New York: Penguin, 1998. Print.