Death of a SAlesman as an American Tragedy

A modern tragic hero is not necessarily someone who impacts all of society, but someone who has an indirect or direct impact on his family and friends. Arthur Miller, the creator behind the American tragic play, Death of a Salesman, describes Willy Loman as a “man whose dreams are at once insupportably vast and dangerously insubstantial.” This statement is true, thus making Willy Loman a modern day tragic hero.

Willy Loman had a dream. His dream, although phony, was that of the American Dream. Americans, and Willy, believe that anyone can make it big in the world if he or she fights for what he or she wants. The American dream also encompasses being well-liked, good-looking, popular, wealthy, and honest in order to be powerful and successful. Willy believes that “in the greatest country in the world, [young men] with such – personal attractiveness, [cannot get] lost.” He especially believes this of his son Biff Loman. He is very stereotypical of certain careers, and belie...