The salesman in the novel “Death of a Salesman” by Arthur Miller is a perfect example of how life works today. Willy Loman made a mistake – a big one – and tried to correct it, to no avail. His misdeed left him so distraught that it led him to contemplate suicide. The audience is able to empathize and connect with Willy because of his self-deprecation, sense of failure, angst, and overwhelming regret. Although most may not be able to understand the extreme actions he took, as some do not commit suicide in the face of adversity. People identify with Willy because he is a man driven to extreme action. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get the original essay Willy Loman is a dreamer of epic proportions. He reaches the point where he can no longer differentiate or distinguish his crazy hopes from the rational realities of the present. The Lomans - especially Willy - are extremely proud even though whatever the basis of their pride, it is not at all based in reality. “You, Hap and me, and I’ll show you all the towns.” America is full of beautiful cities and honest people. And they know me, boys, they know me all over New England. The best people. And when I bring you guys, there will be open sesame for all of us, because one thing, boys: I have friends. I can park my car on any street in New England and the cops protect it like their own. (Miller Act 1). Despite the fact that Willy is alone and unsuccessful, his pride leads him to boast of what he does not have and to pretend to be what he is not. Biff and Happy ignore their father's lies, but later they understand. Willy is so delusional that he refuses to take a job from Charley but continues to take out loans that he can repay. As the play progresses, it becomes clear that Willy and his family's pride is fiction. They continue the prank so as not to be looked down upon by others, which is why Willy would not accept Charley's job offer because he sees him as someone inferior to him. Willy is an emotionally unstable person. His father and brother left him when he was a child. Abandonment is one of Willy's greatest fears, which may be why he brags so his children won't leave him. “ WILLY: No, Ben! Please talk about dad. I want my boys to hear. I want them to know what type of stock they come from. All I remember is a man with a big beard, and I was on Mom's lap, sitting around a fire, and some kind of good music. This shows Willy's desperate attempt to remember his father and suggests his feelings of abandonment. He tries to find an escape from reality by going back into his head. The flute which is mentioned several times throughout the story alludes to the "high music" played in this act to show how his father's abandonment follows Willy like a ghost. Unable to express his emotions or express himself in front of anyone, he copes by boasting about being recognized and abandoned or by frequently residing in his mental space. The Lomans' actions only describe what they want; freedom and confinement. Willy, Biff and Linda feel stuck at home due to their limited income, mortgage and bills. They feel like the American economy and capitalism are trapping their citizens, which is ironic because America promises freedom. They find themselves idolizing and admiring extravagant and distant places: WILLY: The street.