Willy Loman: Twentieth-Century Tragic Hero
Willy Loman in Arthur Miller's play, Death of a Salesman, is the quintessential twentieth-century tragic hero because he has a terrible, fatal flaw - he is blind to reality. He is also a tragic hero because, even though he is responsible for his own life, we feel sorry for him. Willy believes the lies he tells himself and he loves to find excuses for everything that is wrong with his life. One last aspect that makes Willy a tragic hero is the fact that he experiences a catharsis that cleanses all the dirt from his life. Sadly, Willy is a modern-day loser - our generation's tragic hero.We can look at Willy as a modern tragic hero because he is blind to reality. He lives in a dream and cannot face the fact that he is a failure. Because he does not face t
While we realize that Willy is responsible for his actions, we still feel for him because his story is, in a word, sad. Granted, Willy is responsible for his lot in life but that does not prevent us for pitying the man. For instance, he tells his wife, "The trouble was that three of the stores were half-closed for inventory in Boston. He perpetuates the myth by living the lie. Robert Martin maintains, "Although Willy talks grandly of heroic deeds, of great feats of salesmanship, it is evident to everyone (including Willy himself), that his life-long dream of success is flawed" (Martin). Lastly, Willy is a hero because he experiences a release from his pain. Suicide was painless for Willy because it freed him from any responsibility or work. Like the tragic heroes that have come before him, Willy has a fatal flaw - he is blind to reality. He thinks people do not like him and they look over him at work. Willy is a loser and this makes us feel sorry for him. Willy is a tragic hero because we feel sympathy for him. Willy is always looking for excuses. He cannot face the truth and, as a result, has no real chance at happiness. Willy is also a tragic hero because we feel for him. Otherwise, I woulda broke records" (1046).
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