Significance of the Title: The Death of a Salesman

        As we wrap up Act 1 of The Death of a Salesman, I keep on trying to make sense of the title and its overall meaning in regards to the text. I think it is clear to say that Willy acts as the salesman that is being referred to in the title. From the beginning, he is portrayed as an older man who seems to think he has his life together. He claims he is this big shot, business man that knows the “key to success”. Although he is constantly seen running around, meeting with customers, trying to “make it” - it doesn’t make much sense! If he knows the “key to success”, why are we seeing him, as a 50-year-old man, bust around as if he were someone inexperienced and new to the business world? Simpler said by me than Willy himself, he hasn’t lived up to the American Dream he has strived to achieve. It’s as if he knows this, but doesn’t want to admit it to himself. When the title mentions the word “death”, it isn’t supposed to be taken literally. I could easily be wrong due to the fact that we have not finished the play, but I think the word “death” has more of a metaphorical take towards Willy and his career. As the play continues, I believe we will continue to see the fall in Willy’s career. With this fall, I think over time we will see Willy realize that he has failed to attain the American Dream which leads to the downfall, or “death”, of his character.