Death_of_a_Salesman

Death of a Salesman “Illusion vs. Reality” The theme of illusion versus reality is very prevalent throughout this play. The most indulgent of this lifestyle is the main character Willy Loman. His whole life is based on the illusion that he is successful because he is well-liked and good looking. He raises his two sons on this premise and feeds it to them day after day. Willy is a dreamer. Willy grades his life on the success he has as a salesman. He expects his sons to follow in his footsteps as well. Biff is his main concern. Willy looks at Biff to be the one who shines in the business world. “Be liked and you will never want”.(Bedford p.1836) Willy tells this to biff while they are talking about school. The reality is that Willy is not well-liked and not successful but he still tells himself every week that he’ll “knock ‘em dead next week”. Willy says, “I’m the New England man. I’m vital in New England”. Willy is not as vital as he thinks. He says this to impress his boys. Willy’s dreams and illusions also get willy, biff, illusion, father, salesman, reality, death, life, believes, successful, says, play, great, family, world, willy’s, well-liked, week, two, tells, sees, out, one, now, lives, job, himself, happy, going, fathers, dreams, dream, dead, boss, attention