In Arthur Miller's play, Death of a Salesman, Willy Loman has a tragic downfall. Was Willy a victim of, or did he cause his own demise? Willy Loman is a victim of society, shown by his firm belief that if a person is well liked then every door will be opened for him.
             Americans are raised to believe in themselves. They are not trained to take criticism and therefore never accept that anything is their fault. Willy Loman was very prideful in this way, and he raised Biff to have the same ideal system. Willy convinced himself that he was necessary, claiming to his children to be "vital in New England" (Miller 14). Willy knew, though, that as his time began to pass, his abilities began to fail him as well. As a salesman, a very prestigious job when Willy began, he often saw himself as a failure, although he would never admit to it. "But I gotta be at it ten, twelve hours a day. Other men I don't know do it easier. I don't know why I can't stop myself I talk too much. A man oughta come in with a few words"(Miller 37). The business world places great emphasis on being well liked. Willy believed in these business values and took them as his own. Ironically, Willy mentioned that his colleagues had little respect for him and ridiculed him when he attempted to make a sale. He equated having success in life with earning money and being liked by others. Willy often forgot all the love that he received from his family. This same attitude resurfaced in his sons, Happy and Biff, and caused them much grief and pain throughout life.
             While Biff and Happy were in high school, Willy had affair with a woman in New England. For a long time, Willy denied that he had any part in the affair. Willy began to feel horrible guilt over the affair, but always blocked out the memory and did his best to ignore his conscience. He finally understood the magnitude of the situation when
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