"Death of a Salesman," a play written by Arthur Miller, tells the story of Willy Loman, a struggling salesman in post-war America who grapples with his unfulfilled dreams and the harsh realities of his life. Willy is consumed by his desire for success and approval and believes that personal charisma and popularity are the keys to achieving the American Dream. His constant pursuit leads him to illusion and denial as he reflects on his past choices and relationships, notably with his two sons, Biff and Happy.
Throughout the play, Willy's interactions reveal the strain on his family. Biff, once a promising athlete, faces his own disappointments, ultimately rejecting his father's dreams for him. Happy, who seeks his father's approval, still struggles to carve out his own identity. The men are trapped in a cycle of expectations and disillusionment, highlighting the generational conflicts and the difficulty of living up to societal ideals.