Willy Loman

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Arthur Miller’s play, Death of a Salesman, tells of the final days of the main character William Loman. Known to his friends and family as Willy, is a failing salesman. He is married to a woman named Linda and has two sons, Biff and Happy, who all live together in Brooklyn. Willy’s mind is disappearing quickly as tragic actions unravel around him. Through the play Willy is obsessed with the American Dream but goes about it in the wrong way. This wears his family thin and drives Willy Loman to the edge.
The appearance of Willy is not given in detail in the play allowing the readers to create their own. Willy is a 60 year old man, told by the stage directions and Linda in Act I (8). Stage directions explain he is a “large man” by that we can …show more content…

Willy and his family lives the hard working middle class lifestyle. Willy has done nothing but work toward success to give his family a better life. The play does not mention of his education yet we can assume that he went to high school and received some education for his career. His wife Linda loves him very much and has gone through a lot with him, we can tell this by the way he tells her she is his “support and foundation” (11). Willy has a difficult relationship with his sons especially with Biff. One reason they argue with each other constantly is because Willy sees him as “a lazy bum” (10) when he should've been something big. The other is that Willy pushes Biff away because Biff knows about his father's mistress (88). He doesn't get along with his other son Happy either, explaining that his $70 a week and womanizer lifestyle does not make him proud (29). He doesn't only have a difficult relationship with his sons but with himself. Willy often lies about how popular he is and that he's the best at his job. In reality he is not longer able to sell anything, drive efficiently or pay his …show more content…

Willy has a poor moral character for example, Willy does not discipline Biff for stealing a football when he was in high school instead he tells Biff the coach would congratulate him for his dedication (29,30). He also allows the two boys to steal lumber and sand (50,51). Willys allowance of the act of stealing promits the knowledge that the act is immoral from Biff and Happy. Another immoral trait Willy carries in the play is dishonesty. Willys life is based upon his lies for instance, he lies about how big of a success he is, he lies to Biff about his mistress, he lies to his family and boss about how much he makes. Willys constant immoral expressions cause his sons to adapt them resulting in their failure as well as his own. We can determine that Willy is not a religious man through his habitual lying, acceptance of stealing and adultery. He does not go to a church or pray anytime during the play even though he is facing difficulties. While Willy has a wrong moral standing he means well. His strengths are that he has goals and abilities however, they are misguided and improbable.Willys main weakness is his insecurity, this leads to his dishonesty and from there his life heads in a downward

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