He also seems to have a tendency to steal things, suggesting a similar mental illness problem to his father. He also had good prospects for a college scholarship, but because he failed math, he was not able to graduate. He is popular with both friends and with women. The conflict between social pressures and personal realities make up the central themes of the play. He suffers from a kind of dementia and despair which make him suicidal. He is also profoundly disappointed in his sons who have not lived up to his unrealistic expectations.Īs the realities of his life close in him, his failure to succeed, his past mistakes, and his disappointment sin his family, he begins to lose touch with reality. While he seems to believe in the dream of a rise to success in business and the wealth which comes with that, these things have alluded him. The protagonist of the play, Willy is characterized by insecurities and general illusions about life. Death of a Salesman Character Analysis Characters and Analysis
