1. Self-Deception: Willy often lies to himself to maintain a sense of self-worth and importance. He exaggerates his accomplishments and successes to create an illusion of success and achievement that masks the reality of his failures. By deceiving himself, Willy copes with the harsh truths of his life and avoids confronting his shortcomings.
2. Protecting His Ego: Willy's ego is fragile and vulnerable, and lying serves as a defense mechanism to protect it from being bruised. He lies to avoid facing the reality of his declining sales career, his lack of success, and his strained relationships with his family. Lying allows him to preserve a positive self-image and maintain a sense of control over his life.
3. Avoiding Responsibility: Willy often lies to avoid taking responsibility for his actions and choices. He blames external factors, such as the changing business world, for his failures instead of acknowledging his own role in his downfall. By lying, he evades accountability and absolves himself of the guilt and shame associated with his failures.
4. Manipulating Others: Willy also resorts to lying as a means of manipulating others, especially his sons Biff and Happy. He uses lies to control their perceptions, influence their decisions, and gain their sympathy. Willy's lies are often aimed at shaping their perceptions of him and their futures, often with manipulative intentions.
5. Escaping Reality: Lying provides Willy with a temporary escape from the harsh realities of his life. Through his lies, he constructs an illusionary world where he is successful, respected, and loved. By immersing himself in these fantasies, Willy finds temporary relief from the disappointments and difficulties of his actual existence.
Overall, Willy's lying serves as a coping mechanism that allows him to maintain a sense of self-worth, avoid responsibility, protect his ego, manipulate others, and escape the harsh realities of his life. However, these lies ultimately deepen his disillusionment and contribute to his tragic downfall.