Death of a Salesman

In “Death of a salesman,“ Willy Loman’s values are very much skewed. He is focused on ideals that are dedicated to success in a world which has no room for non-achievers. Willy‘s life was built of false dreams and hopes. His main values in life are money and being well liked. These beliefs are expressed throughout the entire story. He says “Be liked and you will never want.” Willy also complains that Biff ‘…has yet to make thirty-five dollars a week!’

The importance of being well-liked, physically attractive, and being a good athlete are the qualities which are often stressed by Willy Loman. He builds his whole life around this idea and teaches it to his children. He is convinced that Happy will become store manager, when Happy is just a loser. Willy constantly tells himself all of the great things that Biff has done, extremely inflating Biff’s image. Willy still refuses to face reality when Biff states that he never worked as a salesman for Oliver. Willy replies, “But you were practically.” By the time Biff is grown, it is almost too late to realize that good looks and athletic talent does not ensure respect and financial success. Biff knows this and says to his father, “We’ve been walking in a dream for fifteen years…….I never got anywhere because you blew me so full of hot air.” Biff realizes that he has been blinded by false values.

Willy’s dream is to become like