Death of a Salesman Theme of Respect and Reputation

Reputation is one of Willy’s primary concerns. He thinks that all you need to succeed is to be attractive and well liked. He celebrates his son’s popularity in high school, asserting that it is vastly more important to be fawned over than to be honest or talented. Much of the time, Willy considers himself a well liked man. He aspires to be just like a salesman whose death was mourned far and wide. Despite his fixation on reputation, Willy and his family members are neither well known nor well liked, and Willy’s funeral is sparsely attended.

1. To what extent does being well liked matter in the business world of Death of a Salesman?
2. Who, if anyone, is well liked? Does any link seem to exist between being well liked and behaving virtuously?
3. Let’s talk about Dave Singleman, the well-known salesman, and his death. How is he mythologized? How does his death compare to Willy’s?
4. How does Willy idealize his sons, and especially Biff? How does he idealize Ben?

Willy’s obsession with being well liked hurts his reputation by detracting from his focus on working hard, living ethically, and behaving virtuously towards others.

Willy mythologizes important figures in his life in order to validate his dreams. If others can achieve his hopes, so can he.