"Death of a Salesman" p. 1119 #2

This play is a tragedy; it is important that the reader knows this in order to understand the story. Therefore, the play starts off by letting the audience know it is a tragedy from the minute the reader first looks at the title. The title "The Death of a Salesman" automatically tells the reader that this play is going to involve or center around a death, which would most likely make the story a tragedy. As the story continues, it is important to understand that the play is about the downfall of a man trying to live the american dream. Willy is caught up in a world that views everything as perfect and, in his opinion, the ideal life. He is unable to accept his family's situation and that life is not going according to plan. He repeatedly fails to listen or to accept that things are not as he wishes they were. For example, Biff, Willy's idea of a perfect son who lives a perfect life, tries to tell Willy that he has been unsuccessful in life. He is unable to keep a job and cannot get an interview with his old boss. However, Willy assumes that Biff got the job and refuses to acknowledge that Biff is telling him otherwise. Even after Biff repeatedly reminds him, they argue, and Biff says he is leaving, Willy still asks, "You're not going to see Oliver tomorrow?...He put his arms around you, and you've got no appointment?" (p. 1623). Willy refuses to accept the truth that exists outside his perspective of living the american dream.