What Does Willy Sell In Death Of A Salesman

What Does Willy Loman Sell in Death of a Salesman? More Than Just Suits

Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman is a devastating portrait of a man consumed by the American Dream, a dream that ultimately proves elusive and destructive. While Willy Loman ostensibly sells "goods," the true nature of his "sales" is far more complex and nuanced. This essay will delve deep into what Willy actually sells, exploring the multifaceted layers of his profession and the insidious ways his perceived failures in this area impact his identity and relationships.

The Superficial: Suits and the Illusion of Success

On the surface, Willy Loman is a traveling salesman, selling "suits" to men across the country. This is the most readily apparent aspect of his work, a seemingly simple profession that fuels his family's life, albeit precariously. The suits represent more than just clothing; they symbolize status, success, and the material rewards of the American Dream. Willy's constant striving for sales, his obsession with making a "big sale," speaks to his deep-seated need to achieve this material success and prove his worth.

However, the suits become a symbol of Willy's own inadequacy. His inability to consistently make significant sales, his dwindling commissions, and his eventual job insecurity highlight the superficiality of this representation of success. The suits he sells are ultimately just clothes, and the success they seem to signify is ultimately fleeting and illusory. The very act of selling suits becomes a metaphor for Willy's desperate attempts to sell himself, to prove his value in a world that measures worth in terms of material possessions and superficial achievements.

The Deeper Sales: Himself and His Ideals

Beyond the literal suits, Willy's entire life is a desperate attempt to sell something far more profound: himself. He tries to sell his personality, his charm, his supposed likability to clients, his bosses, and even his own family. He believes that his "well-liked" personality is the key to success, a charismatic quality that will ensure his sales and his happiness. This self-selling is a constant, frantic performance, a desperate attempt to project an image of success that he struggles to maintain.

He also sells a warped version of the American Dream. This is perhaps the most important "product" Willy peddles, both consciously and unconsciously. He sells the idea of success through likeability, charisma, and personal connections rather than hard work and skill. This ideal, instilled in his sons Biff and Happy, proves to be profoundly damaging. He pushes his sons toward this flawed version of success, emphasizing personality and charm over substance and ethical conduct. The tragedy of the play is partially rooted in the devastating consequences of this failed sales pitch to his own sons.

The Flawed Commodity: The American Dream

Willy's obsession with the American Dream is central to the play's themes. He sells the dream not only to his sons but also to himself. This dream is meticulously constructed, based on the belief that personal appeal and superficial charm are the keys to material prosperity and social standing. This distorted view of the American Dream leads to his downfall, as he fails to recognize the importance of hard work, discipline, and genuine talent.

He constantly compares himself to others, particularly to his brother Ben, who achieved seemingly effortless success. This comparison fuels his feelings of inadequacy and failure, further intensifying his desperation to prove himself. Willy's relentless pursuit of this warped dream ultimately eclipses his family and his own sanity.

Selling a Legacy: The Illusion of Fatherhood

Willy also desperately attempts to "sell" his legacy to his sons. He seeks to instill in them the belief in his idealized version of the American Dream. However, his efforts are ultimately unsuccessful. His idealized vision clashes with reality, and his flawed teachings only contribute to his sons' own struggles and disillusionment.

He tries to pass on his skills (or rather, his perceived skills) as a salesman, but his methods are fundamentally flawed. He emphasizes appearances and superficial charm over integrity and honest hard work. This results in Biff's rebellion and Happy's shallow ambition, both direct consequences of Willy's failed attempts to "sell" his life philosophy. The legacy he leaves behind is one of disappointment and disillusionment, a far cry from the success and admiration he craved.

The Unsold Product: Authenticity and Self-Acceptance

Ironically, the one thing Willy fails most miserably to sell is himself – authentically. His attempts to project an image of success are always undermined by his underlying insecurities and self-doubt. His constant lies, his manipulation, and his desperate attempts to create a false facade of success ultimately reveal his deep-seated anxieties.

His inability to accept himself and his failures is a tragic flaw that permeates every aspect of his life. He tries to sell a version of himself that he is not, resulting in a constant state of inner turmoil and dissatisfaction. The failure to sell this authentic self- the only true commodity that holds value – ultimately contributes to his tragic demise.

The Unsustainable Sales Pitch: The Weight of Unfulfilled Promises

Willy's entire life is structured around an unsustainable sales pitch. He sells promises he can't keep, both to his family and to himself. He promises wealth, security, and happiness, but his inability to deliver on these promises leads to his own emotional and psychological destruction.

The promises made to his sons, the promises of success and happiness based on a flawed ideal, prove to be particularly devastating. His inability to provide for his family and his consequent descent into despair highlight the devastating consequences of unfulfilled promises.

The Final Sale: A Tragic Conclusion

In the end, Willy's "final sale" is his life. His suicide is a desperate attempt to secure a large insurance payout for his family, a final act of selling himself to provide for them. It's a warped culmination of his life's work, a final attempt to achieve the success that has eluded him.

Even in death, he continues to try to sell. He tries to sell the idea of his self-worth, his heroism, his value as a father. But this ultimate sale, like all the others, fails to deliver the desired result. His suicide, rather than securing his legacy, only accentuates the tragedy of his life. It's a stark indictment of a system and a dream that left him broken and alone.

Conclusion: Beyond the Suits

Ultimately, Willy Loman doesn't just sell suits. He sells an illusion, a false promise, a flawed dream. He sells himself, repeatedly and ultimately unsuccessfully. His desperate attempts to sell his distorted ideals, his failed legacy, and his inability to sell his true self lead to his tragic and poignant demise. The play serves as a stark warning against the seductive power of false promises and the importance of authenticity and self-acceptance in achieving a meaningful life. The suits are just the superficial wrapping of a far deeper, more tragic story. The true product Willy sells is his own fractured soul, a commodity he ultimately fails to market successfully, leaving a legacy of heartbreak and despair.