At the time of the play, Willy Loman is an aging salesman
who wants more than anything to be respected, loved, and remembered for being
successful. He has not done poorly in his profession; however, he has never been a top
salesman. Rather than accepting his own personal talents and limitations, Willy blames
his lack of success on factors other than himself. Early in the play, he complains that
he has to travel too far to work and that this will hurt his sales. Because Willy does
not accept himself, he has troubled relationships with others around him. Willy is
critical of his sons Happy and Biff, and the boys resent him because Willy has never
really accepted their dreams, preferring instead to try to live vicariously through his
sons. Willy's wife Linda tries to be sympathetic to Willy's situation, yet he does not
see or appreciate her efforts and is often sharp and terse with her. Willy is blinded
by what he sees as the American Dream, and as a result, he cannot move past his illusion
of what his life should be.
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