Tragic Flaw

Willy: "I always felt that if a man was impressive, and well liked, that nothing-"
Death of a Salesman Act 2 pg. 1602


2. There can be little doubt that Willy Loman is the victim of a "tragic flaw." Is it Willy's own tragic flaw that causes his downfall? Is it society's? Is it a combination of both?

Willy in this story is just like Amanda from The Glass Menagerie. They both have really similar characteristics--both live in the past, are obsessed with their children's success, and are a little crazy. Willy is a victim of a tragic flaw that drives the action in the story. His flaw, similar to Amanda's, is that he longs for perfection, to be well-liked, and to be the man on top of everything. He has this perfect vision of Biff and himself achieving the American Dream. His tragic flaw causes him to be very hard on Biff. Though he has good intentions for Biff to be successful, they actually end up making Biff less motivated to go out and please his father. Willy's constant nagging just causes Biff to feel pressured to be the best and succeed and he feels like he'll never live up to what his father wants him to be.
Willy's own tragic flaw and society cause his downfall. His own tragic flaw causes it because he is so obsessed with his self-image that he never takes the time to realize that Biff has loved him all along. When he makes this surprising discovery, he commits suicide. Also, Willy's brother Ben influenced Willy to feel that he should work towards success. Ben was the perfect brother with the riches, happiness, big house, and great job in Alaska. Meanwhile Willy led a life of dull sales and did lots of driving around for his job. Willy compared his life to Ben's often times and regretted not leaving to go to Alaska where he could have been rich.

Society causes Willy's downfall as well because society is the one that provides the notion that people should aim to be a part of the American Dream, with a perfect job, family, salary, reputation, etc. Society leads Willy to accept the notion that perfection is something which is possible, which only ends Willy into a deep hole that he cannot dig himself out of in the end.