Willy Lomans Dream
...he middle of the store and outbox that merchandise manager. I mean I can outbox, outrun, and outfit anybody in that store, and I have to take orders from those common, sons-of-bitches till I can’t stand it any more. Since the theme of alienation only appears a few times in the play, it is not as important as the theme of dreams. In addition, Willy’s alienation is based on the thought that people laugh at him and he feels trivial to the firm. Therefore, he creates a dream world, one that is better for him than reality; where he is respected and attractive, not rejected or stockily built. He creates an image of himself and after telling his sons about it, he too begins to believe it. “I never have to wait in line to see a buyer. “Willy Loman is here!” That’s all they have to know, and I go right through.” In contradiction to the worshiping of himself, Willy tells the truth when talking to Linda. Mostly because he sees, the reality of the situation that, in fact, many people do not like him as a person: But I gotta be at it ten, twelve hours a day. Other men -- I don’t know -- they do it easier. I don’t know why -- I can’t stop myself -- I talk too much. His alienation becomes even more apparent in the play, when he presumes that people laugh at him. Willy believes that other sales representatives and businessmen make fun of his physical appearance and his sense of humour. Therefore, he concentrates a lot on his personal image and he looks for praise from Linda to reassure him and his dream: I’m fat, I’m very -- foolish to look at, Linda. I Didn’t tell you, but Christmas time I happened to be calling on F.H. Stewarts, and a salesman I know, as I was going in to see the buyer I heard him say something about -- walrus. And I -- I cracked him right across the face. I won’t take that. I simply will not take that. But they do laugh at me. I know that. Biff sees that Willy is a salesman, but not truly at heart. He is more content working on items around his house, like the front stoop or the ceiling in the kitchen then making sales for the company. There were a lot of nice days. When he’d come home from a trip; or on Sundays, making the stoop; finishing the cellar; putting on the new porch; when he built an extra bathroom; and put up the garage. You know something, Charley, there’s more of him in the front stoop than in all the sales he ever made. Additionally, Willy and Happy are both fixated with the idea of sex. Willy takes his sexual needs outside of home to another woman in Boston because he is not gaining what he needs at home from Linda. He craved for a more attractive image and the woman made this dream come alive. The regret soon became unbearable for Willy and the guilt turned into an awful dream instead of a desirable one. Willy does not like the reminder of stockings, because he gave them to the other woman, which escalated his guilt when it was witnessed by Biff in Boston. Another example of his guilt is seen when Linda is mending her stockings, which really becoming awkward for Willy. He is a coward because he does not like the simple reminder of stockings: it is an unfortunate dream for him. “I won’t have you mending stockings in this house! Now throw them out!” Happy is following in his father’s footsteps; he enjoys his female conquests. He is enjoying his women, although he feels that it is becoming too easy for him: I get that any time I want, Biff. Whenever I feel disgusted. The only trouble is, it gets like bowling or something. I just keep Knockin’ them over and it doesn’t mean anything. In fact, he loves taking advantage of any woman. “I hate myself for it. Because I don’t want the girl, and, still, I take it and I love it.” He believes in the dream that every woman has desires and a longing for him. Although sex seems important to the play, it is still not as important as dreams, primarily because to the men, sex is just a fantasy. Regardless of his age, each of the Loman men acts like a child in the play. Whether it is a childhood dream that does not go as planned, like Biff wanting to become a big football star in high school; or an obstacle in life gets in their way, such as Willy losing his job. Willy, as a father, should be the adult to Happy and Biff, but instead he is childish. His dreams of success in the business world and of his muscular physical appearance are the dreams of an adolescent. He has a boy like quality to him, which is obvious in Howard’s office with the constant state of nervousness. Even Charley, Willy’s only true friend, makes a comment on Willy’s immaturity. “Willy, when are you going to grow up?” Willy acts childishly by calling Charley a “big ignoramus” and threatens to hit him. This action is something to be expected from an immature child, not an adult. Willy sees himself as mature and grown up. However, in reality, he is just a dependent man with unpleasant fantasies. He resembles an old man whose dreams are completely wrong and obscured. Biff and Happy fantasize about their desire for a better future, but they are adults. At their age, these desires should be reality. When Biff mentions his dream that he could really have a better future with Happy by his side, it is unbelievable from the start. He has dreams of the West, with his brother by his side: BIFF, with enthusiasm: Listen, why don’t you come out West with me? HAPPY: You and I, heh? BIFF: Sure maybe we could buy a ranch. Raise cattle, use our muscles. Men built like we are should be working out in the open. Biff’s ...