Downfall of Willy Loman
Essay by review • February 7, 2011 • Essay • 823 Words (4 Pages) • 1,505 Views
Willy Loman is responsible for his own downfall. Willy finds his
own hero and tries to become the hero in his own existence. Willy tries to
become a very successful businessman, at the start of his career he thinks
that no one can tell him what to. Willy is not good with people, he is
good with his hands, he is not a good salesman and he chooses the wrong
career. Willy often makes up stories or changes the stories he knows
because he cannot face the truth of his life that he has not accomplished
as much as he has planned. Willy's downfall is his own doing which is
brought about by his unrealistic dreams, his pride, his career choice and
his failure to manage life's problems.
Willy, at a young age, noticed an old salesman who worked at an age
of 80 and made a lot of money. The old salesman took orders from no one, he
made his own orders and everyone did as the old man said. When the old
salesman, Dave Singleman dies, all the buyers came to his funeral. All the
people Dave ever knew came. There were thousands mourning his death. From
that point, Willy Loman found an awesome dream which he followed the rest
of his life. Willy became a salesman. Willy is the most unqualified
salesman ever! He never sold a thing. Willy stops seeing the truth at one
point of his life and he relies on his own lies to numb his pain. The pain
of knowing he cannot and won't be able to become Dave Singleman. He is
Willy Loman, who is good at fixing the house. He is not cut out for
traveling from city to city and selling goods to people he has never met
before. Willy dramatically dies living out his dream, the dream that never
suited Willy Loman.
Willy does not allow people to tell him what to do. He believes
that he cannot be bossed around and that he is too important to fall under
anyone's authority but his own. Willy teaches Biff and Happy not to take
orders from anyone. He thinks this will make Biff, Happy and himself
successful, but it is in fact a major contribution to Willies failure.
Willy did not become a "Big Shot" meaning he did not become important to
the field of retail. Willy thought he was a "big shot" when he was not and
this must have made people angry because he is not liked by many people.
People have to earn their importance. They cannot just be important
overnight. This lack of status contributes to his co-workers disrespect.
Willy accomplishes less when he works compared to working and
staying at home. Willy fixed up his house with great skill
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