The Play about “Death of a Salesman”
In the “The Death of a Salesman” Arthur Miller deals with the notion of the American dream and its implementation in life on the example of the main character. The traditional view of the American dream means a self-made man who has independently achieved financial success that inseparably goes together with personal happiness. The author challenges this belief and provides the answers for the following questions: Is material welfare always accompanied with spiritual calmness and happiness? Do material possessions bring relief from spiritual burdens? And, finally, can the American Dream be applied to everyone, or each person has his/her own way to happiness?
The main character of the book Willy projects his American dream on his sons and wants them to succeed where he could not. Although, Biff and Happy have their personal dreams (for example, Biff wants to have a ranch) their father thrusts his own opinion to his children. According to Willy’s belief the essence of the American dream indicates that if one works hard now, it will inevitably result in future financial success. But he fails to realize that he sacrifices present happiness for the future welfare. In other words, he lives in tomorrow and does not experience the joy of the present moment.
Although, Willy creates the image of success for his sons, in reality it is a false presentation, he is not so successful at all. The reason for Willy’s unhappiness is that he betrayed his dream when he was young. Willy wanted to go to Alaska, as his brother Ben did, who was an example of a self made man, but Willy sacrificed his dream and ended up in New York. He felt guilty about his decision and was really unhappy because he did not listen to his heart.
 Arthur Miller underlines that it is important for every person to follow his/her own bliss, but Biff had to sacrifice his dream because of the father, and refused from the idea to have a farm. In order to deserve Willy’s love Biff needed to accomplish his father’s dream and become rich, that’s why he breaks off with his dream about the farm. 
In conclusion, Miller in the “Death of a Salesman” reveals that each person should define success for him/herself. There is no standard set of things that would make every person happy. Besides, it is important to stress that success and happiness does not always mean physical things like houses or cars. The way to the accomplishment of dream is to find who you are and follow your inner voice. The main character of the book proved that American dream was just a fruit of his imagination. And in the pursuit of future welfare, he forgot that happiness is a present state.  
Bibliography
Miller, A. The Death of a Salesman. Penguin Books, 1998.