In the play “Death of a Salesman” by Arthur Miller none of the main characters achieve success. To Arthur Miller having your family respect and love, a stable life and understanding yourself are solid keys to success.

In Arthur Miller’s mind, to have a family’s respect and love is the biggest success one can have. The entire play Willy just looks to get affection from his sons, but most importantly his son, Biff. He pushes so hard and is focused so much on that, that it's getting in his way of succeeding in his job. The more he pushes for affection the further he ends up pushing his sons away from him. It’s clear that the boys don’t see that their father loves them but it becomes quite evident when Linda yells at Biff “What happened to the love you had for him? You were such pals!” (Miller 57). Linda sees that Willy just wants to love from his sons but they just don’t see it. Linda is that truly loves and respects Willy.

The Loman family struggles with financial stability, which is another key to success in Arthur Miller’s eyes. Willy’s solution to most problems is to use money. Willy is partially successful in this because he knows what wants to do with his money. He wants to retire to the countryside with Linda. Although he couldn’t do that as a salesman he still did everything he could to keep his family somewhat stable. He would even ask for money if he didn’t haven any. He asked Charly for money, “ Charly, look… With difficulty: I got my insurance to pay. If you can manage it-I need a hundred and ten dollars” (Miller 96). Willy may not be able to help his family all on his own but he finds a way to do it without worrying them. To me that is success and a great one at that.

The best example of success in Arthur Miller’s eyes is understanding yourself. From the very start of the play Biff is seen as lazy and someone who runs away from their family and their problems. As the play goes on, Biff starts to realize the cause of his behaviors. He finally confronts his father, Willy. He says “You fake! You phony little fake! You fake!” (Miller 121). He isn’t going to let his dad yell at him and boss him around anymore. He wants to be his own person.

Arthur Miller has a clear picture of success. No one in play achieves all forms of his point of view of success. He does a well job of describing and defining why each person does not reach success. Arthur Miller wants you to learn to be yourself and not to let others push you around, to love your family and support them.