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Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller
The stereotypical salesman:
Aggressive unctuous (slick) sly not always honest phony
Salesmen: How have they changed?
1940s-1950s– traveled– door-to-
door– large
numbers
Today– rarely door-
to-door– telemarketing
computers– not as much
traveling
Willy Loman Famous American character actors want to play him; challenge obsessive desire to succeed being liked/loved=success
Willy’s family
Sons: Biff and Happy
wife: Linda= unconditional love
brother: Ben= material success
Structure: “Inside his head” Present day: 1945
– Willy in 60’s– having troubles– Biff & Happy in 30’s– Ben is dead
Flashbacks: 1928– Biff & Happy in HS– Biff = football star– Ben stops by for a
visit
Setting and sound House: open= realism “opening up roof
& looking in” lighting & sound/ costumes used to
indicate flashback flute music in background
Writing:
How do you define success? How does society define success?
What do you need to do in order to have success? What are the obstacles to personal success and how can people overcome them?
Who are the people that you view as successful?
Success!
How do you define success? How does Willy Loman define success? How does Biff Loman define success? How does Happy Loman define
success?
Symbolism: Willy Loman’s back yard
1928
1945
SymbolismApartment housessurround Loman houseBlock sunlightReplace elm trees
Symbolism 1928
1945
Symbolism
Stockings
-expensive
-Linda tries to repair the holes in her stockings
-mistress gets new stockings
Symbolize illusion vs. reality
Act II opens in 1945
Willy and Linda discuss finances:
Why is this scene repeated?
Willy: Mr. Fix-it
– Puts up a ceiling– Builds front porch– Installs plumbing– Gardens
– “Even your grandfather was better than a carpenter . . .”
– “A man who can’t handle tools is not a man . . .”
Symbolism: ACT II: Why is the tape recorder in the scene?
--Willy does not know what it is--he cannot afford it--does not know how to operate it--Howard ignores Willy to give attention to his new “hobby”
The tape recorder symbolizes Willy’s inability to adapt to the new technology in the business world
Dave Singleman
Willy’s inspiration Success until age 84 Willy says DS was “loved.” Died the “death of a salesman”
– On the train, on business– Large funeral
ACT II: Howard
Willy’s boss/ same age as Biff Howard treats Willy same way Willy
treats Linda He calls Willy “Kid” Howard is boss b/c of his father Willy still focused on “he put his hand on
my shoulder . .”
ACT II: Ben
Jungle= difficulty(business world)
Diamond=Rewardsuccess
Symbolism: ACT II:
Willy wants to plant seeds: “I’ve got nothing in the ground . . .”
Nothing will grow; sunlight blocked: Willy can’t succeed
Symbolism: Act II: fountain pen
Biff: “What am I grabbing this for?”
-Bill Oliver’s-Biff steals it-Realizes he doesn’t want it
Pen = business worldBiff realizes he does not want to be in business
“Be liked . . .”
Willy: you must be well-liked/attractive to have success.
Who proves Willy’s theory wrong?
HimselfBiffBen
CharleyBernardHoward
Discussion questions1. Compare Willy’s relationship with Linda
to his relationship with Charley
2. Compare and contrast Biff to Willy
3. Compare and contrast Happy to Willy
4. Discuss the portrayal of women in the play: Linda, woman in Boston, Ms. Forsythe, Letta
Discussion questions: Compare Willy’s relationship with Linda to his relationship with Charley
He treats both badly:– “big ignoramus”– “don’t interrupt . . .”
Both are kind to him– Linda takes care– Charlie offers job
Both enable him– Linda doesn’t ?– Charlie gives $
Charlie understands:– “Nobody dast blame
this man . . .”– Linda: “I can’t
understand . .. He only needed a little salary”
– Charlie: “no man needs only a little salary”
Linda blames others:– “Biff, his life is in your
hands . . .”– “don’t you care . . .”
Compare and contrast Biff to Willy
Both work with hands– “he was a happy man
with a bunch of cement”– “To suffer 50 weeks of
the year for a two week vacation. . .when all you really desire is to be outdoors with your shirt off.”
Both enjoy attention Both seek approval Both dishonest
Willy doesn’t change Biff has self-awareness
– “I realized something about myself”
Biff defends Linda; wants to “settle down”
Biff challenges both Linda and Happy– “we never told the truth
in this house”
Compare and contrast Happy to Willy
Both contradict– “big . . . “nobody knows
me”– “getting married .. .can
never marry” Both exaggerate
– Jobs, women. . . Both focus on physical
– “losing weight”– “foolish to look at”
Both act superior to women Neither will give up dream Both are the unappreciated
younger brother
Willy works hard; Happy is lazy– 10-12 hours day– Cover yourself
Happy more independent
Happy feels entitled; Willy has put time in
Women: victims or in control?
“pig” “gorgeous creatures” “ruined her . . . Can’t
get rid of her . . . Women as prizes Women used for sex
Linda = “foundation” Woman in Boston=
controls business Bernard, Howard,
Ben: wives Happy: “can’t get
married”
Discussion question II DISCUSS WILLY LOMAN AS A PARENT IN BOTH THE
PRESENT TIME AND IN THE FLASHBACKS TO 1928. WHAT ARE HIS STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES? BE SPECIFIC
WHAT STATEMENT IS ARTHUR MILLER TRYING TO MAKE ABOUT THE BUSINESS WORLD AND AMERICAN SOCIETY? WHOSE FAULT IS WILLY’S TRAGEDY—HIS OWN OR SOCIETY
When asked what item Willy sells, Arthur Miller has said, “Willy sells himself.” Explain what Arthur Miller means. How does Willy sell himself to further his career? How does he sell himself to Linda? To Ben? To Howard?
? How does he sell himself:To Linda?
Sales totals “ I would have broke
records . . .” “salary” from Charlie “I cracked him . . .”
To Ben? “we hunt too . . .” Shows off sons Shows off building skills
To Howard?
“I’m going to get one myself. . .”Named him HowardHoward’s father“I had a big year!”
WILLY LOMAN AS A PARENT
Good intentions Attentive; interested Works to provide Controlling Overly involved Sees no fault stubborn
Defining statements Willy
– “Big shot”– “I am not a dime a
dozen . . .”– “He put his hand on my
shoulder . . .”– “nothing’s planted . . .I
haven’t got a thing in the ground . ..”
– “a man who can’t handle tools . . .”
– “You’re the only friend I got . . .”
Linda– “attention must be paid!”– “How can I insult him. . .”– “Why did you have to
start that?”– “You’ve turned your
backs . . .”– I can’t understand . . .
Defining statements
Biff– “I’m like a boy”– “I borrowed it from
the locker room”– “You gave her
Mama’s stockings”– “We never told the
truth in this house”– “What am I grabbing
this for?”
Happy– “I’m losing weight/
getting married”– “I get that any time I
want”– “I can outlift, outbox .– “I’m gonna beat this..– “It’s the only dream
you can have . . .
Heroes? Willy Loman/John Proctor
Individual vs. society Both don’t fit Both make mistakes Both sacrifice life
Willy’s choice? Willy—wrong fit Proctor has more
regret Willy’s suicide:
motive?
WILLY’S TRAGEDY?
HIS OWN FAULT Won’t listen Won’t adapt Dishonesty Jealousy Distorted image Narrow definition of
success
SOCIETY’S FAULT Poorly treated workers Pressure to be #1 Looks/popularity Looks down on labor Undeserved success No reward for hard work Leaves people behind