Death of a Salesman Play- AP Manisero

Explain the significance of the American and Swiss cheese

The significance of the cheese is that Willy's behavior during this scene reflects how he feels about his surroundings. He feels like everything contradicts him, that he can't keep up with the changes around him.

Explain the significance of the apartment buildings

The apartment building further emphasizes the somewhat fear that surrounds Willy. They show that the times are changing and that Willy can no longer control all what goes on around him.

What does Willy realize about his car windshield?

Willy realizes that there is something wrong with his windshield. This is meant to symbolize his internalized emotions of the struggles he faces everyday. He acknowledges he's not as sharp as used to be but still persistent with his own ways and opposed to anything that challenges him.

In what ways is Biff conflicted?

Biff is conflicted with many different issues. He is indecisive with his decisions on what he wants to do as a profession. He also wants to try and repair his relationship with Willy, despite Willy's constant expectations. Biff is hard on himself because he believes he needs to explore his personal desires while trying to appease Willy.

In what ways are Biff and Happy similar

The brothers are similar because they both feel the burden of their father's expectations on them. However, they both do seek his approval no matter their decisions. They also both feel a sense of being discontent with the turnout so far of their lives.

In what ways are Biff and Happy different

They brothers are different on their approaches to life. Biff is more critical of his life choices, while Happy lives a somewhat carefree life, almost as if he's going through the motions. Also, Biff is more clear on his hopes for the future, while Happy is simply hoping for the best. Finally, Biff is more confrontational and willing to argue with his father on the expectations he has, as where Happy is more passive on Willy's request, trying to satisfy him the best he can.

Describe the flashback on pages 17-20. How do Willy and his sons relate to each other in this snapshot of the past?

Willy reminisced on a past experience where he was playing with Biff and Happy, and the three of them were happy together. This is meant to tell the reader that Willy has never not stopped having pride and love for his sons, he just has expectations for them that his sons believe are unethical. On Biff and Happy's perspective, they've never stopped having love and pride in their father, they just hoped he would eventually respect their decisions.

How does Willy treat Bernard during the first flashback? What makes Biff better than Bernard, according to Willy?

In this flashback, Willy treats Bernard very dismissively. Willy often belittled Bernard, suggesting that he was lesser than Happy and Biff. Willy believes that Biff is better than Bernard because of Biff's charismatic demeanor. Willy values unintellectual characteristics over intellectual characteristics.

How do things change during Willy's conversation with Linda regarding his most recent trop( during the flashback )

At the beginning of the conversation between Willy and Linda during the flashback, Willy is excited about his new trip. However, as the conversation continues on, Willy's excitement is met with a sense of a lack of security. He feels pressure and overall concern from his job. Linda shares a concern with him about his job, but still supports and encourages him.

Describe Willy Loman when we first meet him?

Willy comes home from a work trip. Willy is unstable because he reveals that he crashed the car. However, Willy is coherent and is able to recognize his issues.

Describe our first impressions of the relationship between Linda and Willy

Willy is dismissive of everything Linda has to say. Linda decides to feed into his delusions while trying to keep Willy in reality.

Why does Willy express frustration with Biff?

Biff hasn't settled down as of yet with a job or a wife. Biff isn't living up to Willy's expectations, when in reality he is.

How does Willy react when he learns that Linda bought American cheese instead of Swiss? What does this situation demonstrate?

He's very angry, saying that he's always being contradicted. Since American cheese was newly introduced to the market, it represents Willy's unwillingness to change

What mistake does Willy make about his car?

He mistakes his new car for his old car, where the windshield was removable. Willy ends up breaking his new windshield trying to take it out

What purpose is served by Linda's phone conversation with Biff on page 53?

During the conversation, Linda was excited at the fact that the rubber pipe was gone. Biff revealed that he was the one who removed it. This is foreshadowing of Willy’s death and gives us a sense of disappointment from Linda

Describe Howard's behavior when showing Willy the new dictaphone

It shows that Howard doesn't necessarily care what Willy has to say at that moment in the office. It further emphasizes that Willy is opposed to change and that everything is changing too quick for him

Explain the significance of Howard's line, "Sure. They're only a hundred and a half"

It shows that Howard is extremely rich because "a hundred and a half" was a lot back then. Howard is out of touch with the reality of those he employed.

How does Willy's demeanor change as he continues to speak with Howard?

Willy becomes more upset and aggressive because he sees how much Howard doesn't care about what he has to say.

Who is Dave Singleman?

A man that Willy strives to be similar to/as successful as Dave Singleman (the legendary 80+ yr old salesman that never left his hotel room until his death)

What points does Willy make to Howard when trying to win him over?

Willy tries to appeal to Howard a sense of loyalty. Willy reminisces with Howard's out he has been a dedicated employee and emphasized his long services. This emphasizes Willy's struggles between reality and his dreams of success, since over time he's progressively deteriorated as a worker.

Explain the significance of Howard's son's line: "The capital of Ohio is Cincinnati"

This is meant to emphasize the fact that the rich during this time period was really out of touch with the lower and middle class that surrounded them.

What happens in Howard's office which upsets Willy and forces Howard to return?

In Howard's office, Willy accidentally turns on Howard's dictaphone. This upsets Willy because it shows that he has no control over the rapid changes around him

How does Ben react to Willy's job as a salesman?

Ben is very dismissive of Willy's job. He wants Willy to join him on all his business adventures since Ben was the more successful brother. Ben is also dismissive of Linda, although she's the voice of reason behind Willy's actions.

Describe the conversation between Willy and Bernard

Bernard tells Willy that he's going to argue a case in front of the Supreme Court. Willy is shocked that Bernard was successful, unlike his son. Willy asks him what his secret is and Bernard said only hard work.

Explain the significance of Willy's comment to Charley about "highways, trains, and appointments."

Charley tries to help Willy by offering him a job. However, Willy is caught up in his own delusions, imagining highways, trains, and appointments.

Explain how Biff and Happy perspectives differ

Biff is more willing to argue with Willy and bring him down from his delusions and snap him back into reality. Happy is more passive an always allows Willy to have his delusions just not to hurt him.

How does Biff's perspective in the restaurant scene shift back and forth from page 81-82?

Biff's perspective in the restaurant scene shifts back and forth here because he just wants to shut Willy up and he knows his father is having a break down right in front of him. He reverts back to lashing out on his father saying he can't play this game and smooth things over.

In the flashback scene with the other woman, how does Willy's behavior degenerate?

Originally, Willy was able to sell himself as charming and confident, trying to win her over. However, as the scene progresses, the persona is slowly fading. He then snaps back to reality and wants to go buy a bag of flower seeds

Why is Willy planting seeds? What do they symbolize? What purpose does Ben serve here?

Willy is planing seeds because it was his hobby and he wanted to center and calm himself. Also, he wants to bring back the past. They symbolize his legacy (insurance money for his kids). He plants them so they will be their when he is gone, however they won't grow without sunlight.

Explain the significance of the "dime a dozen" reference here.

The significance of the "dime a dozen" reference here means he is expendable and that you can get a dozen of him for a dollar. He then starts crying and he hugs Willy. He realizes that his son loves him.

"Not finding. Yourself at the age of thirty-four is a disgrace"

Willy

"Why do you get American when I like Swiss"

Willy

"I've always made a point of not wasting my life, and every time I come back here, I know that all I've done is to waste my life."

Biff

"Im losing weight, you notice Pop?"

Happy

"He's liked, but he's not well liked"

Biff

"What an anemic!" ( referring to Bernard )

Willy

“You picked me?” ( Taking to Biff )

Willy

"I won't have you mending stockings in this house! Now, throw them out" ( Talking to Linda )

Willy

"The woods are burning!"

Willy

"Why, boys, when I was seventeen, I walked into the jungle, and when I was twenty-one, I walked out. And by God, I was rich."

Ben

"Don't interrupt" ( Talking to Linda )

Willy

"I'm gonna get married, Mom. I wanted to tell you!"

Happy

"Gee, look at the moon moving between the buildings!"

Willy

"Sure, they're only a hundred and a half."

Howard

"You can't eat the orange and throw the peel away- a man is not a piece of fruit!"

Willy

"The capital of Ohio is Cincinnati."

Howard Son

"After all the highways, and the trains, and the appointments, and the years, you end up worth more dead than alive.

Willy

"You—gave her Mama's stockings!"

Biff

"I want you to know, on the train, in the mountains, in the valleys, wherever you go, that you cut down your life for spite!"

Willy

"Pop! I'm a dime a dozen, and so are you"

Biff

"I am not a dime a dozen!"

Willy

"Isnt that- isn't that remarkable? He likes me!

Willy

He had a good dream, it's the only dream you can have— to come out number one man."

Happy

"Were free... We're free"

Linda