Death of a Salesman: Golden Quote #2

"But I was with the firm when your father used to carry you in here in his arms" (Miller 59).

         This quote from Willy to his boss Howard occurs while Howard is in the process of firing Willy.  Willy was very close and had a lot of respect for Howard's father, who used to be Willy's boss.  Willy has never liked or been close to Howard, and now he is trying to prove to him why he still deserves a spot in the firm.  Ultimately, Willy fails to convince Howard of why he deserves a spot, and is let go from the firm.

          This quote is meaningful to me because it makes me realize how unfair the business world can be.  Willy, who has "put thirty-four years into this firm,"has obviously worked much longer and harder than his boss.  Howard only got to the place he currently sits by mere luck; his father was the boss.  That's where there is a slight flaw in the American Dream.  I believe you can work yourself up from a very low economic position through drivenness and hard work, but there will always be advantages for others.  Take my two friends for example.  Friend 1, we'll call him, has a father who grew up in a mid-income family and graduated from Dartmouth University.  Friend 2, has a British father who grew up in a high-class family, and graduated from a mid-level university in the UK.  Friend 2's father joined his father's company, but only had a small title when he joined.  He worked hard and finally got boosted up to the head of the company, where his father once stood.  Friend 1, who's father worked extremely hard to graduate from Dartmouth, is now a position under Friend 2's father in the same company.  Yes, Friend 2's dad did work hard to get to his position, but without his birth advantage, he never would have beaten out Friend 1's dad.  

        Although that was a bit confusing example, the main idea is that hard work is extremely important for success, but advantages that come through your family and connections can help tremendously.  I feel bad for Willy.  Everyone reader will agree that he deserves a spot in the firm, especially since he's in personal financial trouble.  I guess that's why this book is a tragedy.