Nostalgia serves as an escape mechanism for Willy, allowing him to temporarily escape the harshness of his present circumstances and drift into a world of pleasant memories. He often reminisces about his younger days when he was popular, well-traveled, and full of ambition. He remembers his conversations with his brother Ben, who he believes was a successful businessman, and feels a sense of pride and accomplishment in recounting these memories.
Willy's nostalgia is fueled by his desire to relive his past glories and recapture the sense of fulfillment and happiness he felt during those times. However, this nostalgia also prevents him from facing the challenges of the present and accepting his current situation. It makes him blind to the flaws in his character, his failures as a father and husband, and the changing dynamics of the world around him.
The play's title, Death of a Salesman, symbolically alludes to the death of Willy's false sense of self, built upon his nostalgic idealizations. His downfall occurs when he realizes that his past achievements were not as remarkable as he had believed and that his dreams of success and wealth were mere illusions.
Nostalgia, therefore, serves as a poignant reminder in the play of the dangers of clinging too tightly to the past and refusing to confront the present. Willy's tragic story highlights the importance of embracing reality and finding fulfillment in the present moment rather than living in the shadows of idealized memories.