Willy Loman is a common man who makes a significant self-sacrifice for the sake of his dignity and his son, Biff. Although Willy's delusion throughout his life harmed Biff and his dreams, Willy's actions at the end of the play prove that his intentions were truly based on his son's well-being and success. Willy saw obtaining wealth as the only ideal to long for in life, which was delusional, but what he does in the end for Biff proves him the true tragic hero.
Willy was at a terrible time in his life for he had lost his job and was very weak. He knew because of his lost dreams that he could not get passed this time in his life. To maintain a sense of dignity, Willy intentionally ended his life to hold on to his image as a competent salesman while it was still palpable. He did not want people to remember him as the unemployed, corrupt dreamer he had become, so he committed suicide before his position worsened. Charley solidifies the state of Willy's memory when he says, "Willy was a salesman. And for a salesman, there is no rock bottom to the life...He’s man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a Shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back — that’s an earthquake. And then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man" (136).
In addition to ending his life to protect his dignified position, Willy makes this ultimate self-sacrifice for Biff. Willy persistently failed to realize the difference between his and Biff's dreams, but when he realizes the love he has for his son he decides he wants to help Biff no matter what his for hopes in life are. When Willy recognizes the importance of his love for Biff, he knows the only way to free Biff from his expectations of chasing the salesman dream is to leave because Willy himself will never be able to let go of this ideal. Willy also speaks with his brother, Ben, of a "proposition:" if he dies, his family will receive his life insurance money. Willy sacrifices his life so Biff can have the freedom and the money to achieve his goals. Willy's tragic flaw, his defining feature, of the defense of his dignity gives Biff the opportunity to really go somewhere in life.
Willy was at a terrible time in his life for he had lost his job and was very weak. He knew because of his lost dreams that he could not get passed this time in his life. To maintain a sense of dignity, Willy intentionally ended his life to hold on to his image as a competent salesman while it was still palpable. He did not want people to remember him as the unemployed, corrupt dreamer he had become, so he committed suicide before his position worsened. Charley solidifies the state of Willy's memory when he says, "Willy was a salesman. And for a salesman, there is no rock bottom to the life...He’s man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a Shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back — that’s an earthquake. And then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you’re finished. Nobody dast blame this man" (136).
In addition to ending his life to protect his dignified position, Willy makes this ultimate self-sacrifice for Biff. Willy persistently failed to realize the difference between his and Biff's dreams, but when he realizes the love he has for his son he decides he wants to help Biff no matter what his for hopes in life are. When Willy recognizes the importance of his love for Biff, he knows the only way to free Biff from his expectations of chasing the salesman dream is to leave because Willy himself will never be able to let go of this ideal. Willy also speaks with his brother, Ben, of a "proposition:" if he dies, his family will receive his life insurance money. Willy sacrifices his life so Biff can have the freedom and the money to achieve his goals. Willy's tragic flaw, his defining feature, of the defense of his dignity gives Biff the opportunity to really go somewhere in life.