What Fools We Mortals Be—DEATH OF A SALESMAN at MVT
by Eleanor Svaton What does it take to be successful in the business world? That’s what Willy Loman has never quite figured out. Unable to launch, he puts his hopes in his son, Biff, whom everyone loves, until they don’t. "Be liked and you will never want. You take me, for instance. I never have to wait in line to see a buyer. 'Willy Loman is here!' That's all they have to know, and I go right through." Willy imparts this wisdom to his son Biff in Arthur Miller’s timely drama, Death of a Salesman . The verity of the statement is questionable, like this next one: "People love me. And you know what, I have been very successful. Everybody loves me." Not Willy Loman this time, but rather convicted felon and twice-impeached former president of the United States Donald Trump. Both quotes may have been close to true at one point in each man’s life. But not anymore. Just as Willy is trapped by his delusions of grandeur, many today relentlessly pursue material
