Death of a Salesman as a critique of American moral and social norms Controversy engulfed Arthur Miller's play, Death of a Salesman. Was Willy a victim of modern American society, or did he simply lack the morals and ethics necessary to be successful and happy? Willy Loman is a victim of the American capitalist machine, as evidenced by his often ambivalent attitudes regarding the importance of pride and being liked, as well as the delusion he displays in his affair and many other aspects of life. One of the many false and artificial attitudes that contemporary America instills in its citizens is a very fierce pride, in which they cannot accept criticism and are blind to reality. Willy Loman took great pride in his work, saying it was vital to New England (Miller 14), and at the same time considered himself a failure. Although Willy was good with his hands (Miller 138), he considered any profession of carpentry or construction an insufficient measure of success, even though he was aware that he took pleasure in putting up a ceiling or repairing a porch. As a traveling salesman, the ultimate symbol of the American occupation and one he so revered, Willy also considered himself a failure. But I have to be there ten, twelve hours a day. Other men I don't know do it more easily. I don't know why I can't stop talking too much. A man should come with a few words, I'm fat. I am very stupid to look at (Miller 37). Even after being fired by Howard Wagner, Willy was too proud to accept a job offer from his neighbor and good friend, Charley. Willy failed to sell because he couldn't manage to live his life according to false standards of making money by lying and cheating, despite the pride he sporadically took in it. The business world places a high value on being liked. Willy assumed these business values ​​as his own, claiming that a man can end up with diamonds here on the basis of being liked (Miller 86) and casually recognized that his co-workers had little respect for him and the ridiculed when he tried to make a sale. He equated success in life with making money and keeping up appearances, rather than valuing the love he received from his family, which led him to teach that to his sons, Happy and Biff, which consequently led to their unhappiness and failure. . In recent years, denial has been seen as a justifiable way to avoid an uncomfortable situation. This thing played an important role in Willy Loman's lifestyle. Years after having an affair during his marriage to Linda, Willy denied participating in this betrayal, even though it was one of the main things contributing to his delusions. He felt unrelenting guilt over the matter, but continually tried to ignore it and push it to the back of his mind. He realized the gravity of what he had committed when Biff, as a young man, surprised him in a hotel with his mistress. Willy suggested that when Biff grew up, he would understand what had happened and rationalize that one should not stress too much about a thing like this (Miller 120). This, combined with Willy's apparent lack of respect for Linda, left an impression on his sons. Willy left the same legacy to Happy, who continued to treat women the same way. Even though Willy felt immense remorse for his adultery and truly loved Linda, he was never able to admit it and say it clearly. In the 19th century, parents were under constant pressure to*.