Willy Loman as Tragic Hero in Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman :: Death Salesman essays

Willy Loman as Tragic Hero in Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman    The business world of today isn't all `peaches and cream'. The harsh reality of the business world is people are mostly interested in one thing, money. This reoccurring trait we have seen has plagued the business world for a millennia. As seen in the play Death of a Salesman, Willy Loman, the main-character, falls victim to this evil trait. Willy always a hard-worker was fired for his lack of profit for the company he worked for. The injustices dealt to people everyday in the business world can be seen through the experiences of Willy Loman. The business world has no room for compassion, specifically for the individual. Most companies cut loose those members of their community whom hurt their profits however what about those who do neither? Howard, the boss of Willy, fires Willy on the basis that he isn't being productive. Willy having worked for the company 34 years had gone from making a salary to working for commission. This slump of Willy's is due to the exhaustion of his job on the road. At the age of 63 Willy would have to get up at 3 in the morning, and drive hundreds of miles to places such as Florida from his home in Manhattan to try to make a sale. However, more often then not he wouldn't make one. Howard knew that the road job for Willy was very tiring as shown when he put Willy on commission. However, when Willy went in to see Howard about getting a desk job, Willy was met with disrespect and greed. Howard's explanation to his reason is .".. you gotta admit, business is business." (Act II 60) This quote shows clearly that because Willy wasn't producing anything he was of no worth to the company. However, we know that Howard has the means by which to employee Willy through his references such has having a maid and his recent purchase of the tape recorder. Howard's greed leads him to ignore the fact that Willy has worked for this company for 34 years and has never asked for a favor before. Thus the individual, Willy, was shown no compassion because of Howard's greed and was fired because of it.