A Man of Good Intention Few characters have the ability to arouse outrage within a reader like Willy Loman. Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman depicts the life of the Loman family, centered around a patriarch whose misplaced values lead to an unfulfilling and unsuccessful life for his family. Due to his destructive effect on others and himself, it is easy to dismiss Willy as a selfish and quasi villainous man; however, this dismissal is unreasonable and incorrect. Willy Loman is a man of good intention who has a good heart, regardless of the outcome of his actions. When Willy's heartfelt conversations with Ben and Bernard, Linda's view of him and Willy's act of suicide are analyzed, his noble characteristics are made clear. It cannot be disputed that Willy's misguided belief that "the man who makes an appearance...is the man who gets ahead" (33), is
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In Willy's case, his suicide is the most altruistic action in the entire story. It should be noted that before Biff came home, "He's been trying to kill himself" (49). Willy made several attempts to end his life , as his numerous car accidents "weren't—accidents" (49), and "behind the fuse box — it happened to fall out —was length of rubber pipe" (50) that he had been using to inhale gas. However, he does not commit suicide until the end of the play, when he realizes that despite their tumultuous relationship, Biff still loves him and "always did" (94). That is the catalyst for Willy's suicide; armed with the belief that Biff "is going to be magnificent ... with twenty thousand behind him" (94) and the love of his child, Willy takes his own life. Not many people would be willing to commit suicide for the sake of someone else with so little hesitation. The fact that Willy is prepared to die if it means that Biff will have a successful future is an indication of the unconditional love he has for him, further demonstrating his good
In Willy's case, his suicide is the most altruistic action in the entire story. It should be noted that before Biff came home, "He's been trying to kill himself" (49). Willy made several attempts to end his life , as his numerous car accidents "weren't—accidents" (49), and "behind the fuse box — it happened to fall out —was length of rubber pipe" (50) that he had been using to inhale gas. However, he does not commit suicide until the end of the play, when he realizes that despite their tumultuous relationship, Biff still loves him and "always did" (94). That is the catalyst for Willy's suicide; armed with the belief that Biff "is going to be magnificent ... with twenty thousand behind him" (94) and the love of his child, Willy takes his own life. Not many people would be willing to commit suicide for the sake of someone else with so little hesitation. The fact that Willy is prepared to die if it means that Biff will have a successful future is an indication of the unconditional love he has for him, further demonstrating his good