The Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller is a bittersweet play about the Loman family and their life with a salesman for a father. Most of the play takes place in the Loman house and revolves around a series of conversations and flashbacks from Willy's past. Through these flashbacks, we discover that Willy had an affair, has a strained relationship with his eldest son and lies to his entire family about the way he works. Miller paints a fascinating picture of how bad ideas for success in the business world not only prevented Willy from becoming a great salesman, but also led to the failure of his family's life. This failure includes Biff wandering from job to job and Hap talking about his role in his job. Aging traveling salesman Willy Loman has a misperception of what it takes to succeed in the business world, leading to lies, infidelity and disconnection. Miller's perception that the typical American salesman, if given the chance, would cheat and lie is a valid idea. Midway through the first act, Willy begins to reminisce about the time he spent with a character known only as "The Woman." During part of the conversation, Willy expresses that he plans to see this woman again when he says, "Well, I'll see him again." the next time I’m in Boston,” the Woman replies, “I’ll put you in touch directly with the buyers” (Miller 1.787-788). These lines make it seem like he's only with the woman to help him advance this long-suffering career. By this I mean that the wife's response leads the reader to think that Willy cheated on his wife only to help her get into the buyers and not because he was unhappy in his marriage. Later we find that in addition to trying to get a...... middle of paper ......rt. Willy's last best idea is to sacrifice his life so that his family can finally succeed. Years and years of travel and ill-conceived ideas for success take a toll on the lives of WillyLoman and his family. 21 Works Cited Eisinger, Chester E. “Critical Readings: Focus on Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman: Bad Dreams.” » Critical Perspectives: Death of a Salesman (2010): 93-105. Literary reference center. EBSCO Web. November 4, 2010. Miller, Arthur. Death of a seller. Literature: Craft & Voice Eds. Nicholas Delbanco and Alan Cheuse. Flight. 3. New York: McGraw-Hill 2010. 288-339. Print. Ribkoff, Fred. “Critical Readings: Shame, Guilt, Empathy, and the Search for Identity in Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman.” » Critical Perspectives: Death of a Salesman (2010): 183-192. Literary Reference Center. EBSCO. Internet. November 4. 2010.