Discuss in brief Willy Loman’s tragic flaw.
Death of A Salesman is a notable literary work by Arthur Miller. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of Death of A Salesman.
Answer
Discuss in brief Willy Loman’s tragic flaw. [2017]Arthur Miller (1915–2005) describes Willy Loman as a central character in his play “Death of a Salesman” (1949). He is a tragic figure. His downfall comes from his wrong beliefs and blind dreams. His tragic flaw lies in his false idea of success and self-worth.
False Dream of Success: Willy believes success means being liked and admired. He says,
“It’s not what you do… It’s who you know and the smile on your face.”
He thinks charm can replace hard work. This wrong belief becomes his greatest weakness and destroys his life.
Pride and Self-Deception: Willy cannot accept failure or truth. He lives in dreams and lies to himself. He often imagines the past and pretends he is successful. His pride stops him from taking Charley’s job. His false pride leads him toward mental collapse and despair.
Materialism and Illusion: Willy’s mind is filled with material dreams. He thinks money and respect can bring happiness. He forgets love and peace. He says,
“After all the highways… you end up worth more dead than alive.”
This shows his belief that money defines his value.
Failure to Understand Reality: Willy never accepts the truth of life. He refuses to see that times have changed. He teaches his sons wrong values and loses them, too. His blindness to reality makes him a tragic man.
Thus, Willy Loman’s tragic flaw is his false belief in success and pride. His illusions destroy his peace and family. Through Willy, Miller shows the tragedy of a common man’s dream.