FREE ESSAY ON DEATH OF A SALESMAN BY ARTHUR MILLER

DEATH OF A SALESMAN BY ARTHUR MILLER

In Death of A Salesman by Arthur Miller, the main character, Will Loman, could be
considered a tragic hero. A tragedy must have conflict in it. Now only with people, but
also in the mind of a character. In Death of a Salesman to A View from the Bridge, it
said, "…not only conflict between people, but at the same time within the minds of
the combatants." From this, a tragedy must enlighten the reader, "…pertaining to
the right way of living in the world." In a tragedy, it gives the reader hope that man
will overcome his weakness. "It is the glimpse of this brighter possibility that raises
sadness." Overall, a tragedy must ensue in a struggle that pins man against himself, with
the possibility that everything will work out for the best. "…Most accurately
balanced portrayal of the human being in his struggle for happiness."
Tragedy must ensue in the common man. The average man will compromise his being, in order
to secure his personal dignity. He is trying to establish himself in society, where he
thinks he rightfully fits in. Willy Noman was the average middle class man, who felt as a
salesman, he commanded respect among his family and peers. He compromised his family in
order to create the "American Dream," or perfect family.
The tragic hero must have a "tragic flaw." This is a weakness in character. For Willy, it
was his need to have material things, and have a perfect image. He had the "compulsion to
evaluate himself justly." Willy was so caught up in his image and how much money he had,
he got lost in a sea of self-pity. He strived for the best with physical possessions, not
a clear state of mind. 
"…The tragedy of Willy Loman is that he gave his life, or sold it, in order to
justify the waste of it." What made Willy a tragic hero? In his mind, he didn't meet
society's qualifications of a successful life. He strived all his life to set back in his
older years, and contemplate on his happy life. Instead, he "stare[d] into the mirror at
a failure." His children were not successful, Willy was not successful, and he had
nothing to be happy about. A tragedy is about the "heart and spirit of the average man."
As Willy had shown, his own-doing beat down his "heart and spirit". Therefore, the reader
relates most with the tragic hero, because it is the best reflection of himself.