his character becomes apparent: his pride. Pride is central to Willys character; he is proud of his sons (or at least, he was), he is proud of being (or pretending to be) a successful salesman, and apparently proud of his independence. When Charley, his neighbour, offers Willy a job, he turns him down flat. It is obvious that Willy has already made up his mind to kill himself at this point. He asks Charley for the loan, which Willy plans to use to pay his insurance premium. Although at first one might think that Willy is too proud to accept a job from his neighbour, we can see from his utterances what his train of thought is.Willy: Funny, yknow? After all the highways, and the trains, and the appointments, and the years, you end up worth more dead than alive.Charley: Willy, nobodys worth nothin dead. Did you hear what I said?Willy never fully comes to terms with reality, he lives in his dreams, whether they be self-delusions (his achievements at work), or his past coming back to haunt him (his flashbacks). It also becomes obvious that the pride he has is for nothing, because he expects the wrong things. He ends up, according to his own values, a failure. It is tragic in itself that Willy feels success dictates the worth of a persons life. His complete acceptance of the American Dream and capitalist ideology ultimately leads to his downfall. His suicide supports the beliefs to which he has lived and died by. He commits suicide so that his family can claim the insurance; both to pay off the mortgage on the house, and to give them, what he would consider, a better start in life (especially Biff). Although Willy is never able to attain his ideals, and his life is a massive self-deception, he still retains his hopes. Even as he contemplates suicide he is still hopeful that his insurance money will sort out his familys financial problems. It is definitely a tragic turn of events that Willy gives his life for the very system that failed him...
