Death of a salesman by Arthur Miller

Willy Loman: Tragic Dreamer

In Death of a Salesman, Willie Loman wants to achieve two things. One of the things that he desires is to be a successful salesman and another is to be a successful father. His desires leave him at a loss in that his actions and statements seem to be in total conflict with them. Because he is not serious about himself and his dreams, Willy becomes a failure.

This has been his life's desire but it something that he has not achieved because he never learns what it takes to be a salesman and he can never be sure that he has what it takes to be a successful salesman. He never advances the way a man in his position should. He is close to retirement age and he is still driving on the road as opposed to having a nice office job. He lacks the social skills to even be appreciated by his coworkers. Willy cannot face the truth about himself and that is his greatest weakness. He lies about opportunities for success. For instance, he tells his wife, "The trouble was that three of the stores were half-closed for inventory in Boston. Otherwise, I woulda broke records" (Miller 1046). Here we see that he is making excuses instead of actually attempting to understand the situation. In addition, he admits, "people don't seem to take to me" (1047) and they "just pass me by. I'm not noticed" (1047). These are enough clues to compel Willy to take stock in his life but her refuses to do so because lying to himself is easier. His hopes may not be in line with his abilities and he is so bent on being a salesman he does not care if he is not suited for the position.

Willy also wants to be a successful father so that his sons will be successful as well. Willy especially wants his son, Biff, to succeed. Biff has inherited some of his father's dreamy nature and has never followed through on anything since he graduated from high school. Biff cannot keep one job for very long and he appears to be bored with no direction. Willy wants him to succeed but has given him bad advice and set a bad example over his life. Willy has made Biff believe that he can do anything without putting forth much effort. This has caused Biff to become lackadaisical when it comes to making educated choices for his future. Biff becomes increasingly aware of how his father has influenced him and tells him, "I never got anywhere because you blew me so full of hot air I could never stand taking orders from anybody! That's whose fault it is!" (1108). This outrage, however, does nothing to improve his lot in life because his father set an example of laziness and blaming others.