The life of Willy Loman is that of a salesman. In his desire to become an American success, he desperately tries to sell a productive image to his clients, his family, and society. Unfortunately, Willy's ambition to become prosperous and well-liked by his family and by society overrides his sense of morality when attempting to project a successful image. In doing so, he sacrifices his own private image to achieve external validation of his character. Thus, Willy's tragic flaw is that of a reversed value system. His sense of personal fulfillment is continuously sacrificed in an attempt to appear successful to his family. Even more important than succeeding in his family's eyes, however, is his need to advance economically in society. It is this system of flawed priorities which leads to his unhappiness, depression, and suicide.

Willy's need to advance himself...