Death of a Salesman

In "Death of a salesman," Willy Loman's values are very much skewed. He is focused on ideals that are dedicated to success in a world which has no room for non-achievers. Willy's life was built of false dreams and hopes. His main values in life are money and being well liked. These beliefs are expressed throughout the entire story. He says "Be liked and you will never want." Willy also complains that Biff '...has yet to make thirty-five dollars a week!'

The importance of being well-liked, physically attractive, and being a good athlete are the qualities which are often stressed by Willy Loman. He builds his whole life around this idea and teaches it to his children. He is convinced that Happy will become store manager, when Happy is just a loser. Willy constantly tells himself all of the great things that Biff has done, extremely inflating Biff's image. Willy still refuses to face reality when Biff states that he never worked as a salesman for Oliver. Willy replies, "But you were practically." By the time Biff is grown, it is almost too late to realize that good looks and athletic talent does not ensure respect and financial success. Biff knows this and says to his father, "We've been walking in a dream for fifteen years.......I never got anywhere because you blew me so full of hot air." Biff realizes that he has been blinded by false values.

Willy's dream is to become like Dave Singleman. He was so impressed that Singleman was so well-liked, that buyers and salesman from all over came to his funeral. Willy's need to be admired is so important that he lies about his own reputation and success. To prove to himself that he is well-liked, Willy cheats on his wife.

Moral values are not taught to Loman's boys. When Biff steals the foot ball, Willy says that the coach would be proud that Biff wanted to practice. Also, when Biff told his father that Bernard gave him answers to his test, Willy had no problem with it. This is also seen when Willy encourages the boys to steal from a nearby building site.

Bernard warns Willy that Biff is flunking math. Willy later remarks that is it a good thing that Biff is not a book-worm like Bernard. Willy is a failure because of society's false value system, and also due to Willy's incapability to deal with life with honesty.