Willy Loman's ideal path to becoming successful is through hard-work and is also amplified through an individual's popularity within their community. He believes that if someone is willing to work toward success then eventually they can achieve that goal. By also being likable and obtaining personal connections the individual can get ahead. He demonstrates this belief within his son, Biff. He encourages Biff to go out there and take advantage of connections that he, his father, has built overtime. Willy thinks that if you know someone they will always help you out and give you a boost, simply because you "know" them. Willy sincerely believes in the idea of Individual Opportunity.
Contrary to Authur Miller's character Willy, he firmly disagrees with the existence of Individual Opportunity. He holds the notion that success is based on luck and is given to people by chance. Hard-work and personal connections aside, the position will be given based on who the employers want. Miller represents his view in most of his other characters. For example Biff, his desire doesn't reflect the ambitions pushed onto him by his status searching father, he is casual and unconcerned in entering America's corporate community. Biff is content and happy with his manual labor lower salary job and the disappointment from Willy doesn't influence Biff or his aspirations, this is Miller demonstrating that the idea of Individual Opportunity is petty and unrealistic.