主人公威利,因年老体衰,要求在办公室里工作,却被老板辞退.威利懊丧之下,责怪两个儿子不务正业,一事无成.儿子反唇相讥,嘲笑他不过是个蹩脚的跑腿罢了.

　　Willy,theprotagonist,requestedtobeassignedtoworkintheofficeduetohisoldageandinfirmities,buthewasretiredbyhisbossinstead.Hefeltchagrinedandblamedhistwosonsforbeingdawdleandidle,thatnothingwasachieved.Thesonsretortedsarcasticallyandridiculedhimasanincompetenterrandman.

　　老推销员做了一辈子美梦,现在全都幻灭,自尊心受到严重挫伤.他梦呓似的与他那已故的、在非洲发财致富的大哥争论个人爱好的事业,最后他为使家庭获得一笔人寿保险费,在深夜驾车外出撞毁身亡.

　　Allhislifetheoldsalesmanwashavingalotofbeautifuldreams,butnowtheywereallgone,andthishadseriouslybruisedhispride.Then,asifinastateofsleep-talking,hearguedaboutcareersofindividualpreferencewithhislateelderbrother,whohadamassedhisrichesinAfrica.Subsequently,inordertogainaninsurancecompensationforhisfamily,hekilledhimselfinacaraccidentatlatenight.

　　这篇文章反映了沉重的社会问题,揭示了美国梦的真谛,告诫我们单纯地追求物质的富足并不能带来精神的自由和充实；否则,梦成虚妄,必然导致毁灭.

　　ThisarticlemirrorsagravesocialproblemandrevealstherealtruthoftheAmericandream.Itwarnsthatpursuingonlythematerialwealthwillneverbringusspiritualfreedomandfulfillment;rather,itwilldashyourdreamandinevitablyleadtodestruction.