Arthur Miller's play Death of a Salesman is widely regarded as one of American Literatures' great stories. The plays' success and popularity stem from the fact that people can identify themselves with the characters and easily relate to the story of a common man who lived a rather normal life, yet ended up tragically. The plays' conclusion leads us to wonder whether the protagonist Willy and his final decision was the result of society, the product of some tragic personal flaw, or perhaps both. Despite Willy's overall good qualities and intentions, the unfortunate circumstances that led him to take his own life does not qualify Willy as a tragic hero. Instead, it reinforces Willy as a quitter whose aspirations exceeded abilities – which he just couldn't handle.
             Willy Loman is portrayed as an average hard-working father who would like nothing more than to see his family and himself succeed. He is of the mentality that hard-work should bring reward and theoretically success. However, Willy finds himself miserable because he has worked hard for over 30 years, yet he is losing his thankless career as a traveling salesman. Thus, Willy basically feels that he has done his part and is sort of due his success. Where Willy goes wrong is his character doesn't allow him to admit his flaws and accept reality. He spends his entire life in an illusion, seeing himself as a great man who is popular and successful, when the truth is he has been nothing than a bad salesman. This delusion is seen in Willy throughout and his false image of his importance to his company is characterized by his remark, "I'm the New England man. I am vital to New England"(Miller 1548). This shows Willy never realizes the truth that he isn't cut out to be a traveling salesman and has kept him from pursuing other avenues of success.
             Willy exhibits many childlike qualities which apparently have also ru...