An air of the dream clings to the place, a dream rising out of reality.
– Arthur Miller
Death of a Salesman, Act 1. Air is personified in these opening stage directions, which describe the Loman family house. The dream is the American Dream that once seemed attainable, but has become detached from reality. The line deals with the important theme of illusion vs reality and the Lomans’ tendency towards self-deception. They are unable to distinguish between reality and they facade they live behind and this ultimately leads to their downfall.