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Though critics such as Sheila Huftel characterize Willy Loman's "fall" as only a fall from "an imagined height," it is nevertheless still a fall, which makes Willy Loman, like Oedipus, a tragic figure. Willy has created very powerful ideas about what he wants his life to be and what he wants his sons lives to be. But these ideas are part of what make Willy who he is. He cannot help but persist with these ideas and that is what sends him on a path headed for failure inevitably. Just like Oedipus was doomed by fate, Willy is too doomed because of his inherent desire to achieve things that society puts out of his reach. No matter how far away his dreams go, Willy always strives to reach them, and it puts a rift between himself and others in his life.

Willy's idea of "success" goes way beyond any...
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