Willy Loman Deception

Often times people lie in order to appear greater than they truly are. They are too proud to accept the truths of their situation, surrendering to falsities and deceit. In Arthur Miller’s play, Death of a Salesman, the concept of deception as a product of pride is explored through the lives of the Loman family and their struggle to accept reality. Through the internal battles of Linda, Biff, and Willy, it becomes apparent that succumbing to deception as a result of vanity, not only destroys the Loman family’s bond, but for Willy life itself.

Linda Loman plays a crucial role in the theme of deception and pride. Her willingness to feed Willy’s ego and play along with his delusions are essential aspects of the deteriorating bond of the …show more content…
From the very beginning Willy’s detached sense of reality is visible. Contrasting lines such as “ I’m very well liked in Hartford.” and “ I know it when I walk in. They seem to laugh at me.” serve to demonstrate Willy’s sense of delusion and pattern of deceitfulness. Willy models his life around the American Dream, but refuses to accept the fact that he is an unsuccessful business man who is generally unknown. Willy is too proud to accept his own reality and resorts to lying to convey a sense of security. Lines like “ ...he has to go to Charley and borrow fifty dollars a week and pretend to me [Linda] that it’s his pay ?” reveal how Willy succumbs to fibbing as a result of his own pride. This is seen again when Charley offers Willy a job, his response being “ I can’t work for you, that’s all. Don’t ask me why.”. Willy irrationally denies a job offer, despite having just been fired. Clearly he has allowed his pride to override his better judgement, a quality that essentially leads him to his death. When Willy says “... because he [Biff] never realized- I am known !” it becomes evident to the reader that Willy stills holds his pride above the truth, and as a result, is willing to take his own