Willy Loman

Acceptance, within itself is a dilution. Acceptance is simply an obstacle in achieving the dream. People in this society strive to obtain wealth and power. People want move through the gates of mystery and continue moving until the goal is truly met. Acceptance in society as a powerful figure is nearly impossible, yet people still yearn for it. The wan from Franz Kafka's short story "Before the Law" and Willy from Arthur Miller's play Death of a Salesman resemble each other in many ways. They both strive for excellence, both want to move through their obstacles and receive what is entitled. In some ways they are both delusional.

Willy Loman is the main character of Death of a Salesman. He was delusional; he lived his life in a deluded perception of reality. Willy wanted to be great. He wanted to move through all the obstacles in his life can prove he could achieve the American dream. Willy believed he was entitled to greatness. This belief is evident when he says, "I am not a dime a dozen! I am Willy Loman and you are Biff Loman! (1299). Willy tries hard and is still not fully accepted by society. Willy is never satisfied with what he owns and refuses to take the help that is offered. He will not give in a little; Willy wants to achieve everything on his own.

I do not agree with the idea of Willy Loman as a tragic hero. To some extent, yes, he is. But he is a destroyed tragic hero. Willy does not earn this label of hero. Willy is consumed with his concern of being liked and accepted in society. In his literature criticism of Death of a Salesman, Bert Cardillo speaks of Willy not being a salesman of items yet a salesman of himself. I do agree with Cardillo in this statement because Willy Loman is so obsessed with success and he believes in orde3r to be successful you must be well liked. Cardillo goes on to say, "the salesman figure that comes through is not a typical grunt brought down by financial failure but of an exceptional invalid, in whom the stress of business only increased existing psychological imbalances," I believe Cardillo is referring to most of American society. He is saying that Willy represents majority of American society. Willy Loman symbolizes the need to be accepted by society as well as overcoming the capitalist power.

The man from Franz Kafka's short story "Before the Law" holds the need of being accepted in his society that lies beyond the gate of the doorkeeper. The exact surroundings that are beyond this gate are not known. What lies beyond is implied though. I believe that what lies beyond the border of the gate, is the goals and aspirations of the man. In order to be successful he must make his way through this gate. He must be accepted by his own perception of society. If he can make it beyond this gate then all will be well. The man is but a normal man of society he does not have much but he bargains with the doorkeeper. The man offers everything

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