Willy Loman is an aging salesman who believes firmly in the American Dream, the idea that success is achievable through hard work and determination. However, as Willy's career begins to decline, he finds himself unable to accept the harsh reality that he is not as successful as he once thought. Throughout the play, Willy experiences flashbacks to moments in his life when he felt more successful, juxtaposed with his current struggles.

The central conflict of the play revolves around Willy's strained relationship with his eldest son, Biff. Biff, once a promising high school football star, has failed to live up to Willy's expectations and has drifted from job to job, unable to find his place in the world. Willy's other son, Happy, is also struggling with his own sense of identity and purpose.

As Willy's mental state deteriorates, he becomes increasingly preoccupied with the past and begins to lose touch with reality. He hallucinates conversations with his deceased brother, Ben, who represents the embodiment of the American Dream for Willy. Despite Ben's success, Willy ultimately fails to achieve the same level of prosperity, and his desperation leads him to contemplate suicide as a means of providing for his family through life insurance.

In the climax of the play, Willy crashes his car in an apparent suicide attempt. His death forces Biff to confront the reality of his father's failures and the destructive nature of the American Dream. The play ends with Biff declaring his intention to break free from his father's expectations and pursue his own dreams, symbolizing a rejection of the values that Willy held dear.

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