How do you see Willy Loman from "Death of a Salesman"?

Question

Willy Loman from "Death of a Salesman" is one of the most memorable characters from modern literature. Do you see him as a proud man following the American Dream; doing whatever he has to to ensure his family's future? Or do you see him as a sad, pathetic man; a fool with only the delusions of his son's success to keep him alive?

Answer 1

I see Willy as a man caught up in a very sad period of history. His lack of education condemned him to a dead-end job with very little security. He was certainly not a fool, although he did some foolish things, but he was an average man in a world that rewarded men with courage, education, and strength, qualities he lacked to a great extent. His story can be a lesson to young people in this crazy era in which we're now living.

Answer 2

Willy Loman is a bit of both. He tries to do whatever is necessary to ensure his family's future, but his deceptions and dishonesty are pathetic. I personally don't like him because of his lying and sneaking. If he let people know what was really going on, he would be more admirable. He should tell his wife that they don't have all that extra money to spend in trying to keep up with the Jones. If business trips to certain areas became unprofitable, he should discontinue them and find a more profitable use for his time. Prestige and keeping up appearances is not all-important. Cash in hand might be better. I guess that is the tragedy of Willy Loman. He can't lose face even if it means survival , happiness, and prosperity. He feels compelled to continue down a bad path.

Answer 3

He's definitely deluded but also stubborn and unrealistic. He lacks an awareness of reality and accomplishment and so he fabricates stories, that he believes are real. He has something to live up to, almost to prove, but he can't and he can't see why he can't, hence the lies.

He also chooses a career that he's not good at, rather than one he shows aptitude for (working with his hands). He'd rather be a useless salesman, because he sees that career as having more prestige than a lowly carpenter.

Of the two examples you gave, I'd certainly have to pick the latter. This following paragraph sums it up:
Hard work is what pays off:- Willy did himself and his family a disservice by putting too much emphasis on appearance and popularity, and not enough on the value of hard work. He wound up living in a daydream whenever things went wrong, and his sons were unethical (ex: Biff's stealing and jail time out West) and unsuccessful.