1. Seminar Presentation by: Chow Alex, Park Raphael, and Ngo Trevor

2. Overview Willy Loman: a salesman, who constantly revisits the past to understand where his life went wrong. Blanche: a southern belle, who is constantly trying to escape the events of the past.

3. Dreams of Willy Loman American Dream -To be the most successful salesman on the planet. “His name was Dave Singleman. And he was eighty- four years old, and he’d drummed merchandise in thirty-one states”(60) Hope for His Future Kin -He always encourages Biff to continue on with his activities, and always visions Biff to be successful than the neighbour, in this case Bernard. “Loman, Loman, Loman! God Almighty, he’ll be great yet. A star like that, magnificent, can never really fade away!”(51)

4. Delusional Willy Loman American Dream -Willy Loman believes that success is acquired only if you are liked by society. “Charley is not liked. He’s liked but not-well liked.” (18) Constant Daydreaming -In the middle of a conversation, he would drift off and dream of past events. It is conclusive that Willy’s daydreaming has driven him to a point of insanity. Charles: “…Did you call me Ben?”(30)

5. Dreams of Blanche Life of luxury -Dreams of all the luxurious and glamorous life of the rich. Stanley: “Look at these feathers and furs…A solid gold dress” (35) Dreams of Young Men -Blanche seems to constantly eye men and act flirtatiously towards them. “…I’ve got to be good-and keep my hands off children.”(84)

6. Delusions of Blanche Life of Luxury -With Blanche always acting in her noble fashion, she expects, similar to Willy, how people like Shep Huntleigh to care for her. “Inviting me on a cruise of the Caribbean!”(124) Dreams for Young Men -Allen Gray, Blanche’s lover at 16, destroyed part of Blanche’s sanity when he killed himself. She is now constantly searching and acquiring by any means to fulfill her DESIRES. “But I was unlucky. Deluded.” (95)

7. The Importance and Effects of Dreams and Delusions To both Willy Loman and Blanche Dubois, the dreams are the very elements of their natures that keep them motivated. This explains why Willy denies the job from Charley and why Blanche begins flirting with the young paper boy. Key characters which suffer because of Willy’s and Blanche’s self-delusions include Linda and Stella, who are similar in nature…

8. Questions 1) Is dreaming and delusion an important element to tragedy? 2) Because from the start of the play, both Willy and Blanche were deluded. Did this Delusion come into existence over time or is this innately built into them?

9. THE END