Themes in "Death of a Salesman"

          In Death of a Salesman, there are three very prominent themes throughout act I. One of these themes, is that Willy has failed to accomplish the American Dream. Willy has worked in the same company for many years, but even after so many years of work, Willy doesn't get respected by anyone at work. His boss does not respect the fact that Willy has worked for the company since before he was born. Willy has been unable to make a name for himself, or pass any life skills on to his sons, which are two key parts of the American Dream.
          A second theme in Death of a Salesman, is that Willy is the only unsuccessful man around. Willy's brother is supposedly rich. He made it big in Alaska, and Willy wishes that he had too. His best friend and neighbor, Charley is a successful business owner, and his son Bernard is a very high up lawyer, while Willy is failing at work, and one of his sons is an unemployed compulsive lier, and the other is a womanizer.
          A third theme in death of a salesman, is that of Man vs. Self. Willy hates himself. he tries to kill himself on several occasions. He drives his car off a bridge, but doesn't die. He tries to suck  in toxic gases, but doesn't die. He mutters to himself constantly, about how his brother is more successful, and his sons are losers. He has constant flashbacks to a time when his sons were successful, and he was well respected.