Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman
... situations complete with conversations. Most of the time, he speaks to his son Biff. The audience understands more due to witnessing these scenes that Willy replays. Willy’s mind makes him seem rather senile to everyone. Next, look at Willy’s false pride. This is Willy’s tragic flaw in the play. Willy always emphasizes the importance of being liked by society. He believes that the salesman can go very far in his career solely by being liked. Willy tells a story about an eighty-four salesman named Dave Singleman. In Willy’s eyes, Dave was the epitome of what a salesman should be. Dave was well-liked and admired by buyers in over thirty different states. In hearing this story, the audience learns where the name of the play came from. “Do you know? when he died-and by the way he died the death of a salesman-hundreds of salesmen and buyers were at his funeral” (1591). Willy was never as well-liked as Mr. Singleman. However, in Willy’s mind, he is very important to his company. Near the end of the play, Willy and Biff had an argument and some of these facts are seen. “Pop! I’m a dime a dozen, and so are you!” (1626). Biff knows that his father is not the great salesman that he has always claimed to be. “I am not a dime a dozen! I am Willy Loman and you are Biff Loman!” (1626). Willy refuses to admit that he is on the lower end of society’s ladder. Willy shows his false pride in many other parts of the play. Willy’s neighbor, Charley, has given him fifty dollars a week for several years in order for Willy to pretend he still received a salary. Willy has too much pride to admit that he is strictly on commission. After Willy is fired, Charley offers him a job. Willy’s ugly pride causes him to decline the offer. Finally, look at Willy’s admirable characteristics. Despite Willy’s pride and delusions, he has some qualities that are respectful. Willy always gets excited when he sees things going well for his sons. Biff was a wonderful football player in high school, and Willy was very excited in the thought of Biff going on to college and succeeding. “Dad is never so happy as when he’s looking forward to something!” (1608). Hap tells Biff to keep his conversation with Willy optimistic. Throughout the play, both Willy’s wife and insurance company suspect him of attempting suicide. “The insurance inspector came. He said that they have evidence. That all these accidents in the last year-weren’t-weren’t-accidents” (1577). Willy has had several car accidents recently and his insurance company suspects him of something else. Willy also had tried to kill himself by attaching a rubber tube to the gas nozzle in the basement and inhaling the poisonous fumes. These actions may seem a bit morbid, but there is...