peteia is somewhat different than the dictionary definition. By his peripeteia, Aristotle means the tragic effect of human effort producing exactly the opposite result to its intention, the irony of human blindness4. The character of Willy Loman is appropriate to this meaning; his intention was to make his fortune, and thus, by his own values, become a success. He devoted his life to the belief that popularity and loyalty were the keys to achieve this end. Miller has relayed this to the reader via the use of flashbacks from Willys already failed life. The reader is therefore able to see how Willys faith was misplaced. He didnt realise that his beliefs were outmoded concepts, and that materialism reigned, despite the fact that he himself was a victim of that materialistic world (the refrigerator, the awe at the tape recorder, Biffs sneakers, even his own success ethic). Willy clung to the idea of Ben [his brother] as the personification of success, but he didnt hear what Ben was telling him about success5. Willy believed it to be a matter of personality: Willy: Its not what you do, Ben. Its who you know and the smile on your face! Its contacts, Ben, contacts! The whole wealth of Alaska passes over the lunch table at the Commodore Hotel, and thats the wonder, the wonder of this country, that a man can end with diamonds on the basis of being liked!While Willy is being fired, he tells a story about David Singleman, a salesman he admired. Here he seems to have his anagnorisis, and vocally admit to his own failings (within the context of his beliefs about popularity) for the first time:Willy: In those days there was personality in it, Howard. There was respect, and comradeship, and gratitude in it. Today its all cut and dried, and theres no chance for bringing friendship to bear or personality. You see what I mean? They dont know me any more.After Willy has been fired by his boss (the son of a man he was great friends with), another flaw in...
