Willy Loman is established, through his words and actions, as a delusional man who cannot accept the present. His memories of better days are clearly shown to be very important to him, or, at least, that's what he's more focused on now. He sometimes brings up his memories during conversations,

"In the beginning...different jobs," (5) "Remember how...high school," (6) "Remember those two...between them," (6) "Remeber those...miles on it," (8) being a few examples. Willy's memories are so sacred to him that he even daydreams backs to those past events, one time happening from pages 16-28, back when his sons were in high school. It happens again when Willy's friend, Charley, comes over. The two were in the middle of a card game when Willy remembers when Ben came over for a visit. Willy interacts with both his memory and the present, which leads to a very confused Charley, who soon becomes angered enough to leave when Willy's memory interferes with the card game. 

His delusion about himself is shown he boasts about himself, saying how people know him and is someone to be respected, saying "Thay laugh at me, heh?...Call out the name Willy Loman and see what happens! Big shot!" to Biff once.

Willy's state now, the reason why he can't accept reality, is the result of being fired after working for a company for thirty-six years, never making a lot of money in doing so (in hopes of obtaining the American Dream), as explained by Linda, Willy's wife, to Biff and Happy. This knowledge helps to build Willy Loman's character. As a result of his "broken dream," Willy does not accept the present, and his mind is forced to turn to the memories of better days in order for him to cope, to escape the bitter truth or reality.