mydog likes to talk
...ent he was sure he could achieve. “The American Dream” is an obsession of Willy’s throughout the entire play. One is left to believe that this was a cause of the abandonment of his father when Willy was young. Because the disappearance of his father left Willy with almost nothing, Willy in return feels as though it is vital for him to put his sons Biff and Happy on the right path of life. This need, I feel, leaves Willy with the sense of self-importance and hence gives him further reason for remaining in his life outside reality. The abandonment of his father is most likely responsible for Willy’s need to be well liked. In many cases throughout the play Willy acts in childlike manners practically begging those around him for words of approval. For example when Willy was faced with the rejection of his boss Howard, Willy returned home with the feeling of abandonment. The most important sense of abandonment I think that Willy faces is the abandonment of his fantasies. After the crushing blows of those around him, Willy’s illusion of life, which allows him to escape the hollowness and depression of reality, abandons him as well. Once Willy is forced to come to reality of his life, all he can do is take a deep breath and observe all of the people he has disappointed. Willy wanted more than anything to be a successful salesman, but Willy also wanted to American Dream for his children, especially Biff, the beloved football player. When Biff walks in on the affair between Willy and his mistress, Biff looses his own dream of success. Disappointment is once again related to Willy. However, what I believe the reader and the characters (including Willy) may be failing to see is the fact that throughout all of these major disappointments that Willy is caught up in, he becomes a fabulous teacher. Unfortunately our knowledge is at the expense of Willy’s happiness. When Willy decides to take his own life he reminds me of the young Hamlet. Only Wi...