Death of a Salesman Study Guide Dramatic Arts

Death of a Salesman Study Guide Dramatic Arts Mrs. Prange 3/15/2018 Death of a Salesman 1

Summary Slide n n Author Biographical Information Notes about play Quotations Vocabulary n n n Study Questions n n Act 1 Act 2 Themes Symbols 3/15/2018 Death of a Salesman 2

Arthur Miller n n n n Born 1915 – Died 2005 Did not have a storied academic background. Graduated high school after flunking algebra three times Had great respect for working man The book, The Brothers Karamazov, convinced him he was born to be an author Enrolled in the University of Michigan in the school of journalism in 1934. Paid his own way through college using 13 of the 15 dollars he earned each week for tuition Won the Avery Hopwood award 18 months into his college career for his first play. Got married after graduation in 1938 and earned a living writing radio plays at 100 dollars per script 3/15/2018 Death of a Salesman 3

Arthur Miller (cont. ) n n n n n Could not fight in World War II because of an injury Finished his first play in 1944 – The Man Who Had All the Luck – made it to Broadway, but for only 4 performances Won the Drama Critics Award in 1944 for All My Sons Won the same award in 1949 for Death of a Salesman Also won the Pulitzer Prize for Death of a Salesman Had continued success and acclaim with The Crucible and A View From the Bridge At the pinnacle of his success (1956), he divorced his wife and married Marilyn Monroe At this same time, his political beliefs began hurting his literary career Miller was outspoken about his belief in the preservation of personal liberty Henrik Ibsen was his greatest influence – social themes – “Man can survive only by retaining his personal integrity 3/15/2018 Death of a Salesman 4

Death of a Salesman - Notes n n Miller wrote the play in complete solitude in a cabin he built. He finished the rough draft of the play in roughly 3 days. The play was first performed in Philadelphia. The audience was so stunned they did not clap – many of the men in the audience openly wept. Death of a Salesman won almost every drama award, including the Pulitzer Prize. Willy Loman has become an American symbol of the little man who gives his life to a job and gets nothing in return 3/15/2018 Death of a Salesman 5

Death of a Salesman – Notes (cont. ) n n The play had an original run of 742 performances, and it has been performed countless time since. This play is recognized as America’s finest and most critically acclaimed play. The play questions what provides true happiness and it questions the false values of modern society The play is true to Miller’s belief in man’s pursuit of human integrity (Henrik Ibsen) 3/15/2018 Death of a Salesman 6

Important Quotations 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. “Pop, I’m a dime a dozen and so are you. ” -Biff “You can’t eat the orange and throw the peel away. A man is not a piece of fruit” -Willy “To suffer fifty weeks a year for the sake of a two-week vacation. ” -Biff “When I was seventeen, I walked into the jungle. And by twenty-one, I walked out. And by God, I was rich!” -Ben “When a deposit bottle is broken, you don’t get your nickel back. ”-Charley “He died the death of a salesman, in his green velvet slippers…” -Willy “After all the highways, and the trains, and the years, you end up worth more dead than alive. ” -Willy “We never told the truth in the house for ten minutes. ” -Biff “I looked up and I saw the sky…and I realized what a ridiculous lie my whole life has been. ” -Biff “He had the wrong dreams. All, all wrong. ” -Biff 3/15/2018 Death of a Salesman 7

Important Quotations (cont. ) 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. “My own apartment, a car, and plenty of women, and still, goddamit, I’m lonely. ” -Happy “Never fight with a stranger, boy. ” -Ben “I heard Mr. Birnbaum say that if you don’t start studyin’ math he’s gonna flunk you, and you won’t graduate. I heard him!” Bernard “Because the man who makes an appearance…who creates personal interest, is the man who gets ahead. Be liked and you will never want. ” -Willy “But he’s a human being, and a terrible thing is happening to him. So attention must be paid. ” -Linda “He always wiped the floor with you. Never had an ounce of respect for you. ” -Biff “That’s fifty-two thousand dollars a year coming through the revolving door, and I got more in my pinky finger than he’s got in his head. ” -Happy 3/15/2018 Death of a Salesman 8

Vocabulary – Act 1 1. *Jovial 9. Immersed Genial; gay; happy 2. Mercurial Engrossed; completely absorbed 10. *Incipient Changeable; fickle; volatile 3. *Turbulent Just beginning to appear 11. *Anemic Tumultuous; agitated 4. *Vital Pale; weak; lifeless 12. Scrim Necessary; essential 5. *Agitation Opaque or transparent curtain 13. Incarnate Emotional disturbance 6. *Pompous In human form 14. *Laconic Self-important; pretentious 7. Indignantly Unexcitable; impassive 15. *Trepidation Expressing anger at injustice 8. Fearful uncertainty; anxiety *Insinuates Implies; suggests 3/15/2018 Death of a Salesman 9

Vocabulary-Act 2 23. *Remiss- 16. *Stolid- careless, negligent brief or terse in speech 24. Incredulously- 17. Ignoramus- skeptically ignorant person 25. *Candidly- 18. Enterprises- openly, honestly business organizations 26. *Raucous- 19. Stance- loud and rowdy; noisy way of standing 27. Implacably- 20. *Imbue- not able to be quieted inspire with emotions or ideas 28. Immobile- 21. Surlily- not movable gloomily, sullenly 29. *Seething- 22. *Philandering- boiling with anger engaging in passing love affairs 30. Pulsation. Rhythmic beating 3/15/2018 Death of a Salesman 10

Study Questions – Act 1 Setting the Stage 1. Describe Willy’s house. Small, fragile; it has the air of a dream 2. Describe Willy as he first appears. He is carrying 2 large sample cases; past 60 of age; dressed quietly; exhausted 3. What do the introductory remarks reveal about Linda’s personality? Jovial; has repressed her exceptions to Willy’s behavior; she more than loves him – she admires him; she also has turbulent desires 4. What hints of possible tensions or problems are given in the opening remarks? Willy is dead-tired from something; there seems to have been some tensions between Willy and Linda in the past; Linda yearns for something she has not gotten 5. Describe the devices or techniques in this section which are expressionistic. The flute; the lighting; the ability to walk through certain sections of the house 3/15/2018 Death of a Salesman 11

Study Questions (cont. ) – Act 1 1. Why is Linda worried when Willy returns unexpectedly from a sales trip? He was not supposed to be back yet; she thinks he might have smashed the car or gotten sick 2. What is Willy’s explanation for his return home? He is tired to death; he couldn’t concentrate on driving; the car kept going onto the shoulder 3. What does Linda’s response illustrate about her? She seems to make excuses for Willy 4. Why isn’t Willy working in New York? He’s a New England man; he is vital in New England 5. What is the tension that exists between Willy and Biff? Willy is angry that Biff has not “found himself yet”; Willy has expected Biff to become more successful 3/15/2018 Death of a Salesman 12

Study Questions (cont. ) – Act 1 6. Why did Willy expect Biff to amount to so much more? He is good looking; he is a hard worker; he was extremely popular and successful in high school 7. What does Biff want to do? How does Willy feel about it? To work at an outdoors job where he can take his shirt off and not worry about getting ahead of anyone else; he thinks it is a waste to work at such jobs 8. What gives Willy the feeling that he is being boxed in? All the apartment buildings that have grown up around them; the street is lined with cars; the grass doesn’t grow any more; there is no fresh air 9. How could the name “Loman” be sybolic? “Low man on the totem pole”; low = insignificant 10. How are Biff and Happy different? Biff doesn’t derive satisfaction trying to get ahead of others; he is not as competitive; he is not as confident; he is not the womanizer Happy is. 3/15/2018 Death of a Salesman 13

Study Questions (cont. ) – Act 1 11. How does Happy interpret his father’s problem? Happy thinks it is Willy’s dissatisfaction with Biff that is causing all his problems 12. What are some of the jobs which Biff has held? Shipping clerk, salesman, cattle herder 13. Why doesn’t Biff like being at home? Because he argues with Willy all the time 14. Is Happy enjoying his way of life? Explain. No; he is lonely and he does not see a bright future ahead of him 15. How does Happy respond when Biff suggests that they go West together? He would like to go but he wants to stay in the city to show everyone “that Hap Loman can make the grade. ” 3/15/2018 Death of a Salesman 14

Study Questions (cont. ) – Act 1 16. What does the reader find out about Happy’s character in this conversation with Biff? He is overly competitive; he is shallow; he is a womanizer; he lies to himself; he doesn’t consider other’s dreams may differ from his 17. Who is Bill Oliver and what does Biff hope to get from him? He was Biff’s boss when Biff was younger; he hopes to get a loan from him 18. Why does Happy want Biff to have a talk with Willy? To see if he can possibly make Willy better 19. What were some of the things Willy tried to teach Biff when Biff was a boy? That being well-liked was the key to success; that initiative is more important than honesty; that personality is more important than intelligence 20. In the scenes from the boys’ childhood, how does Willy’s treatment of Biff differ from his treatment of Happy? He focuses most of his attention on Biff and really doesn’t notice that Happy would like some attention too. 3/15/2018 Death of a Salesman 15

Study Questions (cont. ) – Act 1 21. How does Willy respond when he discovers that Biff has stolen a football? He laughs with him about theft and then congratulates him on his initiative 22. Why doesn’t Willy encourage Biff to study for his math tests? Because he doesn’t think they will flunk him when he already has 3 scholarships; he thinks Bernard can give him the answers 23. Why is so much emphasis given to Willy’s income and debts? To emphasize the pressure that Willy is facing and to illustrate he is not the success he claims to be 24. What are Willy’s and Linda’s reactions to the realization that Willy is not getting ahead? (must answer each separately) Willy finds fault with himself – he is fat, not well-liked, foolish Linda makes excuses for him 25. What does the introduction of the Woman at this point accomplish? To show for the first time that Willy is not totally committed to his family; it also shows his guilt about how he has treated Linda 3/15/2018 Death of a Salesman 16

Study Questions (cont. ) – Act 1 26. How are Biff and Bernard different? What further insight into Biff’s character does Bernard provide? Biff is a popular “jock” who is idolized in school while Bernard is a studious bookworm who is not well-liked; that Biff valued the wrong things because of his father’s advice 27. What does Willy mean when he says, “the woods are burning”? That he is at a critical point where he is starting to become overwhelmed and time is running out for solving his problems 28. Why does Willy reject Charley’s offer of a job? He is too proud; he does not want to admit he has been wrong or needs help 29. Why is Willy proud of his ceiling? Because he considers it a “manly” task and it is something that he accomplished that will last 30. Why does Willy envy his brother Ben? Ben is a material success and he was willing to take risks 3/15/2018 Death of a Salesman 17

Study Questions (cont. ) – Act 1 31. In his discussions with Ben, what does Willy reveal about his hopes for his sons? He wants to make sure they are rugged, well liked, and fearless characters who will be successful 32. What is the meaning of the imagery of the jungle, Africa, Alaska, gold, and diamond mines? It represents the adventure and riches that are available to a man who is willing to take chances 33. What is the meaning of the mock fight between Ben and Biff? What is the lesson Ben intends to teach Biff? It is Willy’s way of showing Ben that his boys are worthwhile sons; it also represents Willy’s failure – he has not been fearless enough to succeed Ben is trying to show Biff not to underestimate strangers and to be ruthless 34. Why is Linda so upset with Biff? Because he has made Willy upset and never pays him enough respect 35. What does Linda mean when she tells Biff that Willy is dying? He has attempted suicide 3/15/2018 Death of a Salesman 18

Study Questions (cont. ) – Act 1 36. What is Biff’s attitude toward the business world? He thinks that the business world does not allow a man to enjoy himself; a man always has to worry about appearances 37. What idea does Happy have that pleases Willy? To open a sporting goods chain based on sporting events between the Loman brothers 38. Willy Loman was preoccupied with being well-liked. How is being liked related to having friends? A person can be liked by everyone without having any true friends. A person must develop true relationships to form friendships rather than trying to impress people with lies and falsehoods 39. What is the difference between having a nice personality and being a good person? A nice person is merely someone who is fun to be around – a good person is an honest, caring individual who can be trusted and counted on 40. What is the difference between having a nice lifestyle and living well? A nice lifestyle usually refers to materialistic objects while living well usually refers to the moral and spiritual aspects of life 3/15/2018 Death of a Salesman 19

Study Questions – Act 2 1. What evidence is there to show that Willy is interested in life again? He slept well for the first time in months; he wants to buy seeds; he talks about buying a house in the country; he is going to ask Howard for the job in New York 2. Why might Willy be irritated when Linda reminds him of the unpaid bills? It ruins his optimistic mood; reminds him of the reality of his situation 3. What does Willy ask Howard? For a job in New York 4. Why is Howard so unsympathetic? He is too interested in his wire recorder; because business is business and personal issues should matter 5. Who was Dave Singleman and what impression did he make on Willy? He is the best salesman Willy ever knew; he reinforced Willy’s decision that a man could be successful as a salesman 3/15/2018 Death of a Salesman 20

Study Questions (cont. ) – Act 2 6. Why doesn’t Howard let Willy go to Boston? He is firing Willy; he does not Willy to represent them any longer 7. What is Howard doing while Willy relates his problems? What does this show about Howard? Playing with the wire recorder; he is insensitive to Willy’s problems – he represents how corporate America does not care about its workers 8. What does the conversation that Willy has with Charley about the Ebbet’s Field game illustrate about each man? 1. 2. 9. Willy thinks that athletics will lead to recognition and popularity which will lead to success Charley doesn’t think much of games; he get ahead through hard work Why does Willy look to Ben for help after his unpleasant meeting with Howard? Does Willy get the help he needs? Ben is Willy’s symbol of success and he values his advice; not really – Ben leaves without giving Willy any concrete answers 10. How does Linda react to Ben? Why? She is frightened by him; she wants Willy to stay where he is at and make a life with her in the city as a salesman. It is safer 3/15/2018 Death of a Salesman 21

Study Questions (cont. ) – Act 2 11. Describe Bernard’s success later in life. He becomes a wealthy lawyer who is going to argue a case before the Supreme Court; he has wealthy friends who have tennis courts at their houses 12. What important question does Willy ask Bernard and what is Bernard’s response? “What’s the secret? ” “Why didn’t he ever catch on? ”; Bernard doesn’t know the secret or why Biff never caught on, but he does suggest that Biff gave up after he got back from Boston 13. How does Willy react to Bernard’s suggestion? He gets angry and defensive as if Bernard is blaming him for Biff’s failure 14. What does Willy find incredible about Bernard’s success? That Charley never told Bernard what to do or took any interest in his success 15. What does Charley attempt to do for Willy? He tries to give Willy a job but Willy will not accept the offer 3/15/2018 Death of a Salesman 22

Study Questions (cont. ) – Act 2 16. What is Charley’s explanation for his own success? His salvation was that he never took any interest in anything 17. How does Happy show that he is very much like Willy when he is in the restaurant? He is a womanizer and lies to try to impress others 18. How does Biff react when he realizes that Bill Oliver doesn’t recognize him? He steals his fountain pen 19. What discovery does Biff make as he runs downstairs in the office building? That his whole life has been a lie 20. Why does Biff become upset with Willy in the restaurant? Willy will not let Biff tell him the truth – he keeps interrupting him 3/15/2018 Death of a Salesman 23

Study Questions (cont. ) – Act 2 21. Is Biff being needlessly cruel to his father? Explain. What about Happy? Explain. 1. 2. 22. No – he is trying to get Willy to see the real truth that they are just “a dime a dozen. ” Yes – the truth might actually help but Happy wants to continue to lie After Willy hears Biff’s news about Bill Oliver, what flashback occurs? When Biff caught him having an affair in Boston 23. What happened between Biff and Willy in Boston? Biff caught his father in the affair and decided to punish Willy by becoming a failure 24. How are Willy’s infidelities to his wife related to the other issues in the play? They again illustrate Willy’s lies which symbolize how false the business world also is 25. Why doesn’t Linda accept the flowers from the boys? She is too disappointed in them for abandoning Willy in the restaurant 3/15/2018 Death of a Salesman 24

Study Questions (cont. ) – Act 2 26. What is the twenty-thousand dollar proposition Willy discusses with Ben? Life insurance money after Willy commits suicide 27. How does Willy envision his funeral? He imagines hundreds of people coming from all over New England, New Jersey, and New York which would prove to Biff he was well liked and respected 28. What does Ben warn Willy about referring to the proposition? Biff and the rest of the family might think it cowardly The life insurance company might not honor the policy 29. What does Biff intend to do to make life easier for Linda and Willy? Leave home for good and not bother to write anymore 30. In his anger, what does Biff attempt to force Willy to recognize? That the entire family has been lying and that they are not special. They should accept the truth and enjoy the simple pleasures of life 3/15/2018 Death of a Salesman 25

Study Questions (cont. ) – Act 2 31. What does Willy learn from Biff’s emotional display? That Biff truly loves Willy 32. Why does Willy decide to kill himself after he has been reconciled with Biff? He wants to give something to Biff and have him look up to him again 33. How does Willy kill himself? He crashes his car 34. What is Happy’s reaction to Willy’s death? He feels his father had no right to kill himself. He is going to prove that Willy had the right dreams and follow in his footsteps 35. Does Biff understand his father at the end of the play? Explain. Yes – Biff realizes Willy had all the wrong dreams and what would have made Willy happy is what makes Biff happy – working outdoors and being rugged men 3/15/2018 Death of a Salesman 26

Study Questions (cont. ) – Act 2 36. What is Charley’s evaluation of Willy? Charley understands Willy the best. He doesn’t condone Willy’s actions but he does understand that a salesman is the image he presents, and when people stop buying the salesman, he is finished 37. What does Linda say she doesn’t understand? Why Willy killed himself; why she cannot cry 38. Why do Biff and Happy go separate ways at the end of the play? Biff wants to find true happiness in what he enjoys; Happy wants to prove that Willy had the right dreams and that Hap Loman is better than everyone else 39. Who, or what, is responsible for Willy’s death? Explain. His pride His false dreams His image of success 40. What comment is Arthur Miller making about personality and business in this play? That in order to succeed in business, a person has to be ruthless and a bit of a liar. A businessman has to “sell himself” and image often means more than honor in the world of big business 3/15/2018 Death of a Salesman 27

Themes 1. The American Dream 1. 2. Lying, exaggerating, revising 1. 3. Willy and his sons cannot form any true relationships because they have been lying to themselves and others for years Identity 1. 2. 4. The pursuit of happiness vs. the pursuit of material wealth Is the pursuit of money healthy? “Who am I? ” – The only character who is even somewhat comfortable with himself is Biff Willy forces his personality on his sons Unrealistic expectations 1. 2. 3/15/2018 Willy expects Biff to be hugely successful in business because he was successful in sports Biff’s main concern is to rid his father of these false expectations Death of a Salesman 28

Themes 5. Nature vs. the City 1. 2. 6. Mortality vs. immortality 1. 2. 7. Willy has a fierce desire to “leave something behind” as evidenced by his need to plant a garden and his plan to leave money to his family through life insurance Miller suggests all humans have this deep desire Suicide 1. 8. There is a constant struggle in the play between Willy’s desire for nature and adventure and his desire to make money in the city as a salesman Nature and adventure seem more desirous and profitable Willy wants to commit suicide for a number of reasons: to escape an empty life, for revenge for his son’s disrespect, and to make something of a life that he considers vastly unsuccessful A tragic hero 1. 2. 3/15/2018 Is Willy a noble man who is defeated by a tragic flaw? The difference between Willy and Charley is that Willy is intense and passionate and cares about his dream enough to sacrifice his life for it. Death of a Salesman 29

Symbols 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Flute – the traveling salesman; independence Sneakers – success Stockings – guilt “The woods are burning” - time running out Seeds – need for creation; leaving something behind Fountain pen – revenge; defeat Howard – corporate America Dave Singleman – success Rubber tube – hopelessness; escape 3/15/2018 Death of a Salesman 30