Death of a Salesman Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman is a tragic play about an aging and struggling salesman, Willy Loman, and his family's misguided perception of success. In Willy's mind, being well liked is more important than anything else, and is the means to achieving success. He teaches this flawed idea to his sons, Biff and Happy, and is faithfully supported by his wife Linda. Linda sympathizes with Willy's situation, knowing that his …showed first 75 words of 685 total…

…showed last 75 words of 685 total…acknowledges. Death of a Salesman is one of America's most tragic plays, because it tells of disappointment, failure, and death. Ultimately, Willy wastes his adult years trying-- unsuccessfully-- to prove his worth. He has a misguided philosophy that he passes on to his two children, and can no longer distinguish between reality and illusion. The story of Willy Loman will remain popular because it serves as a question to all: "What has the person become?"