LINDA: All told, about two hundred dollars would carry us, dear. But that includes the last payment on the mortgage. After this payment, Willy, the house belongs to us.
WILLY: It’s twenty-five years!
LINDA: Biff was nine years old when we bought it.
WILLY: Well, that’s a great thing. To weather a twenty-five year mortgage is…
LINDA: It’s an accomplishment.
– Arthur Miller
Death of a Salesman, Act 2. The Lomans’ desire to own their own house represents the American Dream for them, but it can also become a burden. An upbeat Linda chats to her husband about their finances and how they have only one more payment left on their house mortgage. She puts on a cheerful tone as she helps Willy dress for his upcoming interview with his boss Howard. Sadly Willy won’t live to see the mortgage paid off. His meeting with Howard doesn’t go well, and he feels that he has to commit suicide so that the life insurance money will give his family financial security and enable them pay their bills, including the last mortgage payment.