How Does Willy Loman Change Throughout The Play

Death of a Salesman from Arthur Miller is set in the USA in the 1940s, somewhere in New York. Willy Loman, the main character, is a 63 year old Salesman, with a wife and 2 children. Willy Loman is an aging character who does not adapt well to changing circumstances. Willy Loman’s character is somehow stuck in the past, in better times, where things are simpler according to him. Very unstable and prone to quick judgement, he tries to fulfill his dreams and ambitions by instilling his values and goals in his children. Throughout the play it appears that he himself is however unable to achieve his own demanding standards. At several occasions Willy shows how detached he is from current the world, as he tries to first suggest but then forces his
children to follow his “salesman” footsteps. He believes he has all the answers and inevitably the situations are showing his limitations. Willy Loman is a very self-centered tortured character, who does not take reality or criticism well. The environment surrounding him reinforces his beliefs through active confirmation but also by showing compassion for his misguided views. His sons reflect this very well. The older son tries to live his life, yet manages to ignore his abusive and narcissistic behavior. His younger son, a mental mirror image of the mother, plays the contrarian, confronting him when necessary. In the end Willy kills himself as reality of his failed achievements become unavoidable.