Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman is a work that has been interpreted in many different ways over the past few decades. As main character Willy Loman's mental health deteriorates, audiences struggle to understand whether this classic is a tragedy or simply a man with psychological problems and a possible identity crisis. The Death of a Salesman is a tragedy, but unlike what others audiences have seen or read about before, but in the end, Willy meets all the criteria for what a tragedy is. Willy's personal psychological problems create a serious flaw in him as a main character, as well as social pressures brought on by outside sources and moral weakness within Willy. The unhappy ending is announced but remains a tragedy nonetheless. Say no to plagiarism. Get a Custom Essay on "Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned"?Get an Original EssayThe first issue that contributes to the death of a salesman being a tragedy is the issue of the social pressures that Willy experiences upon seeing his brother Ben's success has been, seeing the world around him becoming industrialized, and Bernard pressuring him on how Biff must do well in school to succeed. It is depicted that Willy wants to achieve the American dream, but in reality he is simply falling under the pressures that society has put in place during this time period. The world around Willy was starting to really industrialize, which could understandably create insecurity and pressure on a man with a family at that time and not really progressing in his career. Willy even goes so far as to accuse the growing population of ruining the country. Claiming that “the population is getting out of control. The competition is maddening” (Miller 12). Apparently, Willy makes up an excuse for why he has not been successful in his life due to the fact that many people are trying to achieve the same goal. Another social pressure concerns Willy's brother, Ben, who found success in Alaska. Willy repeatedly mentions how he should have left: “If I had gone with him to Alaska that time, everything would have been totally different” (Miller 35). Showing how he regrets not achieving the American dream like Ben did. Bernard trying to help Biff at school by reminding him to study also adds social pressure for Willy because he wants Biff to succeed, but plays along and jokes about how Bernard won. There's no point in just doing well in school because you're not well-liked. He sends Bernard away several times, telling him: “Don’t be a pest! and calling him anemic toward his sons (Miller 25). Willy does this because he doesn't want to be reminded of how his son Biff is failing at something in his life. Even when his wife tries to defend their son and agree with Bernard, Willy panics and exclaims, "There's nothing wrong with him!" Do you want him to be a worm like Bernard? He has wit, personality” (Miller 31). Another problem that helps identify this play as a tragedy would be the moral weakness of the main character Willy, which is his dream of success for himself and his family. This is a weakness because he is not successful and is not the great salesman as he sees himself and presents himself. When talking to Happy, he says, “'I have friends. I can park my car on any street in New England and the cops protect it like their own” (Miller 24). He goes to his boss and asks for a different position in his company, but is fired because his irrationality shows and the truth comes out about his few professional achievements. He doesn't stop.