Miller's family influence throughout his childhood and young adult years assisted him in understanding the multiple struggles facing employees in the workforce. His surroundings and family situations provided him with the knowledge necessary to write the drama, Death of a Salesman. Miller's ability to combine real life experiences with fictional situations allows him to create a realistic plot with plausible characters. In Arthur Miller's drama, Death of a Salesman, he utilizes symbolism, characterization, and plot structure to depict society's acceptance of success or failure. .
Willy Loman firmly believes that being well-liked is a key attribute in reaching success. Throughout the play the main character, Willy, a salesman, reinforces the tenet that being well-liked is a symbol of prosperity. Willy demonstrates his obsession with being well-liked by numerously referring to those who are well-liked as icons of achievement. "I always felt that if a man was impressive, and well-liked, that nothing-,"could stand in his way (Miller 97). One critic, Lawrence, avows that during his life Willy Loman formulates the opinion that in order to thrive in society, one must be "well-liked" (548). Willy maintains a notion "that somehow there can be a link between love and success"(548-549). "He believes in love, which is only the extreme form of being well-liked"(549). On one business venture, Willy's vision for success is so strong that he becomes morally unfaithful. Love, in his delusional opinion, reflects achievement, therefore pressuring Willy to turn to the prostitute, Miss Francis, to fulfill his passion for love. In Willy's quest for success he gravitates to the prostitute, to feel well-liked, failing to realize society views infidelity as socially unacceptable. .
Willy Loman desires to parallel his life after one salesman, Dave Singleman, who he views as the exemplification of success. In asking his boss, Howard, for a job closer to home, Willy tells the story of his decision to become a salesman.
