Cora vs. Willy

Cora Tucker and Willy Loman differ vastly in their dreams, how they pursue those dreams, and whether or not they get to those dreams. Willy wants to use his people skills to make money and become well liked, whereas Cora Tucker travels and sells information, trying to make a real difference without actually pursuing her own self-interest. Willy chases this dream of renown and financial success with simple, dogged determination, continually depending on simply a “smile and a shoeshine” to get by, relying on his personality. Cora Tucker chases her dream differently, by educating herself on the issues and getting others to get the facts for themselves too. She adapts to the situation and educates herself, relying on her knowledge and her passion to carry her message rather than her limited speaking skills. Because of the way she pursues her dream Cora Tucker achieves it. She has made many changes in a racially segregated area and involves herself with many activist groups that continue to make a difference. Willy, who relies on only his personality, forsaking adaptability and education, fails to live up to his dream and ends up friendless and dead. A similarity between the two of them, however, remains in the fact that many people dislike the both of them.