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Critical Essay – Drama The idea that any person can rise from humble beginnings to greatness is the basis of the American Dream. Arthur Miller paints a harsh picture of this ideal in the drama Death of a Salesman. The main character, Willy Loman, is a complex and tragic figure. He is a man striving to hold onto what dignity he has left in a world that no longer values the beliefs he grew up with. …

…may get the money from his life insurance. He does not consider his family’s love, but prefers to look at what is the best business move. Willy believes that this final act will give the family a chance financially. As well as salvage his own delusion of lost dignity when they see the “masses” that attend his funeral. Willy’s final act of suicide was the ultimate delusion: bad judgement, disloyalty and foolish pride.