Reader-Response: Willy Loman

   I detest Willy. Willy is arrogant, egotistical, ignorant, and a horrible father figure. He forces one child into 'fame' and utterly neglects the other. He refuses to show weakness, error, or fault, and his frank stubbornness permeates his every move. His ego finally pinnacles in the ultimate selfish act: suidcide. Throughout the text of The Death of a Salesman, the character of Willy Loman ought to evoke frustration and ire in it's reader.
   For instance, Willy's relationship with his sons is temperamental and self-seeking. While having a conversation with his boys, Willy gleefully tells Biff that, "[he] must really be makin' a hit," only seconds later to correct Happy's carwashing ability by saying, "show him how to do it, Biff!" (35). Rarely does Willy show any favor towards Happy, and Biff--the blooming football player-- tends to naturally capture his father's attention. As witnessed in later statements such as, "me comin' into the Boston stores with you boys carryin' my bags. What a sensation!", Willy is driven by success and the keeping of appearances (39). His favoratism of Biff is true of his egotistical nature that desires fame and status, even if it means living vicariously through his son. Any father who seeks self worth through the abilities of their children should not be revered in literature, or life for that matter.
   Secondly, Willy's inability to accept critique demonstrates his flawed character. After his friend Charley suspected Willy of cheating at a card game, Willy's flushed response is to call Charley, "ignoramus!" while slamming the door behind him (51). Willy has little patience, and his self-control level is that of a small child. An adult should be able to peacefully abate the situation, but instead, Willy is the source of the mayhem. Additionally, when Willy goes to visit Charley, he runs into Bernard, and amidst their nervy conversation, Willy declares, "what are you trying to do, blame it on me?...well, don't--don't talk to me that way!" (92). Willy views any sort of questioning as a personal attack, and his child-like defensive nature is eager to 'attack' the sender. When any character investigates Willy's source of unhappiness, family problems, or financial plunders, Willy refuses to cooperate and instead responds with bitterness and annoyance. Willy is dry of humility, and his impulsive behavior leads the reader to deny him of any positive merit. Thus, in reading the play, The Death of a Salesman, the reader can identify negative moral, feminist, and psychological conclusions through the heinous character of Willy.