In Arthur Miller's play Death of a Salesman, the downfall of the lead character - Willy - and the destruction of his family was enabled by his delusions that were perpetuated by his family. Willy's delusions focused around his success and the success of his two sons, Biff and Happy.

Willy's destruction and ultimate death were centered on his constant guilt for an affair with "the woman" he had almost fifteen years prior to the setting of the play. He suffers constant reminder of his guilt for his affair, as evidenced by his hallucinations of her starting on pages 1240 and 1294. At an encounter with his mistress (who remains unnamed), he gave her stockings that were intended for his wife Linda (1299). As a result, anytime Willy catches sight of stockings, he is thrown into changes of temperament.

"WILLY (noticing her mending): What's that? LINDA: Just mending

stockings. They're so...