Willy Walter Comparison Essay

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Pursuit of the “American Dream” A gargantuan house, that classy white picket fence, a beautiful wife who does nothing but adore her husband, exactly 2.5 kids, no more no less, who succeed perfectly at everything they do, and of course, the successful career which includes an affluent amount of money. These are all examples of the oh so coveted “American Dream” of which Willy Loman from Death of a Salesman and Walter Lee Younger from A Raisin in the Sun both long to fulfill. Obviously every American desires to achieve their own interpretation of the “American Dream,” but does there come a point when one pursues this dream to the point of destruction? Both Willy and Walter idolize over the objective to become wealthy and successful. Willy Loman obsesses over his goal to become a successful businessman who is wealthy and well liked by everyone. He comes to think that money and success are the answers to all of his problems which is clearly evident when he says, “Be liked and you will never want” (Miller 21). Willy puts all his efforts into being a well-liked man in order to achieve happiness and fulfillment. Through his strides to achieve the “American Dream”, Willy gains nothing but false joy in his actions and lack of success in gaining wealth. Walter Younger also assumes that happiness can be gained through wealth. When questioned by his mother about why he always is talking about money, he responds by saying, “[Money] is life” (Hansberry 55). Both these characters base all of their hopes of eventual joy on the ambition of acquiring a great amount of money and success. Page 2 Disappointed in his lack of success, Walter complains about his job by saying, “Mama a job? I open and close cars all day long” (Hansberry 54). His failure at having a

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