Notes on Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller

INTRODUCTION

• Arthur Miller: A famous American playwright known for his important plays in the postwar period.

  • Focused on middle-class worries and the emptiness of chasing money.

• Personal Background: Born in 1915 in New York City to a wealthy Jewish family.

  • Went through hard times when his dad's business failed during the Great Depression.

• Career Beginnings: Took on different jobs before becoming a full-time writer.

  • Graduated from the University of Michigan in 1938 and started writing plays in the late 1930s.

• Major Works: "Death of a Salesman" (1949) made him well-known.

  • The play won the Pulitzer Prize and is now a classic in American theater.

• Themes: Talks about deep characters, mental struggles, and critiques of society that appeal to audiences worldwide.

CHARACTERS

• Willy Loman: The main character, a salesman having a tough time.

  • Represents an ordinary man caught in society's expectations.

  • His tragic flaw is believing firmly in the American Dream.

• Linda Loman: Willy's caring and supportive wife.

  • Acts as the emotional support of the family.

  • Deals with Willy’s unrealistic dreams and failures.

• Biff Loman: The eldest son, searching for his identity.

  • His journey involves discovering himself while handling his father's expectations.

  • Represents the conflict between personal goals and family loyalty.

• Happy Loman: The younger son, who often seeks shallow success.

  • Tries to win his father’s approval, reflecting Willy’s flawed ideas of success.

• Bernard: Biff's childhood friend, showing a hardworking way to succeed.

  • His achievements contrast sharply with Biff's struggles.

• Charley: Willy’s neighbor and friend who is practical and successful.

  • Offers a job to Willy but shows Willy's stubbornness and pride.

• Uncle Ben: Willy’s successful brother, representing Willy's ideals.

  • His past success haunts Willy, showing Willy's own failures.

• Howard Wagner: Willy’s boss symbolizing corporate coldness.

  • Highlights the harsh truths of business and loss of personal value.

• The Woman: Willy's mistress, representing his cheating and self-deception.

  • Her presence shows Willy's failure to find true love and happiness.

ACT ONE SCENES ANALYSIS

1. Scene 1:

   • Willy comes home tired after a bad business trip, showing signs of mental stress.

   • Family issues are introduced, particularly tension with Biff.

   • Linda worries about Willy’s emotional state and their financial problems.

   • Flashbacks show Willy’s idealized memories of better times.

   • Sets a mood of disappointment and unfulfilled dreams.

2. Scene 2:

   • Willy talks about the past and how proud he is of better days.

   • Biff and Happy express worries about their futures.

   • Willy's unrealistic expectations for his sons become clear.

   • Family conversations reveal cracks in their relationships.

   • Strong differences between past dreams and current life become obvious.

3. Scene 3:

   • Flashbacks to Biff's high school days show his potential and Willy’s dreams for him.

   • Willy believes in charm over hard work; this belief is challenged.

   • Biff becomes uncertain about his future, creating tension with Willy.

   • Suggests that Biff wants a different life than what Willy expects.

   • Introduces the theme of self-deception versus reality.

4. Scene 4:

   • Willy reminisces about past successes, contrasting them with the present.

   • Introduces Bernard and shows his academic achievements next to Biff’s failures.

   • Highlights Willy's delusions about success.

   • Tension grows over Willy’s unrealistic hopes for Biff and Happy.

   • Themes of envy and competition are established.

5. Scene 5:

   • Willy expresses a strong desire for success during talks with Linda.

   • Highlights feelings of disappointment and financial pressures.

   • Willy’s dreams conflict with Linda’s practical approach to life.

   • Reflects on how outside pressures affect personal identity.

   • Shows how Linda tries to stabilize Willy’s declining mental health.

6. Scene 6:

   • Willy struggles more with reality, showing mental instability.

   • Flashbacks reveal interactions with The Woman, highlighting his infidelities.

   • Willy's misunderstanding of success grows.

   • Highlights the difference between Willy's dreams and the life he has.

   • Shows how his past continues to affect his present.

7. Scene 7:

   • The family faces Willy's increasing issues with his behavior.

   • The conflict with Biff grows, revealing deep-rooted resentments.

   • Willy avoids facing reality, creating distance within the family.

   • Shows the mental burden of expectations on everyone in the family.

   • Linda's support for Willy highlights her emotional struggles.

8. Scene 8:

   • Biff learns about Willy's past, leading to anger and misunderstandings.

   • The family faces tensions, forcing important conversations to happen.

   • Suggests a breaking point between Biff and Willy over their future views.

   • Critical moments for character development arise here.

9. Scene 9:

   • Willy feels the pressure of losing his job and struggles with it.

   • Emotions explode during a significant argument, revealing instability.

   • Highlights Willy's fragile mind, linked to his ideas of success.

   • Shows how closely tied his identity is to his work.

   • Raises questions about manhood and societal expectations.

10. Scene 10:

    • Linda’s frustrations with Willy’s delusions become clearer.

    • An emotional clash sets the stage for future conflicts.

    • Highlights Willy's denial and unrealistic aspirations.

    • Introduces family loyalty amidst confusion and pain.

    • Shows Willy’s growing feelings of isolation.

11. Scene 11:

    • Willy reflects on his childhood and lost dreams during emotional moments.

    • Flashbacks give insight into his broken dreams and struggles.

    • His issues reflect larger messages about society and family.

    • The intense emotions clarify character motives.

    • Highlights past relationships that have shaped his current outlook.

12. Scene 12:

    • Tensions peak as changes in Willy's behavior are noticeable.

    • The build-up of expectations leads to crucial future events.

    • Illustrates how Willy's dreams impact family dynamics.

    • Provides foreshadowing of Willy’s fate and future problems.

ACT TWO SCENES ANALYSIS

1. Scene 1:

   • The conflict between Biff and Willy grows due to their failures.

   • Willy’s hope clashes with reality as he tries to find success.

   • Biff decides it's time to confront his father about their issues.

   • Linda’s loyalty to Willy sets up a contrast with Biff's plans.

   • Grows the idea that dreams and reality conflict throughout the play.

2. Scene 2:

   • Biff and Happy discuss their futures, showing family chaos.

   • Happy desperately seeks his father's approval despite unrealistic expectations.

   • The brothers’ reactions to Willy’s legacy show different paths.

   • Biff’s internal struggles increase during high-tension moments.

   • Foreshadows a coming confrontation between father and son.

3. Scene 3:

   • Willy's job loss becomes real; it reveals hard truths about business.

   • His pride stops him from accepting help from Charley.

   • Shows societal pressures around success and the fallout from it.

   • The family dynamic shifts as Biff begins to notice Willy’s decline.

4. Scene 4:

   • Willy's fantasies about success distract him from what matters.

   • Tension arises as his delusions affect real-life situations.

   • Bernard's success highlights differences in paths to success.

   • Conversations uncover deeper family truths and expectations.

   • Sets the stage for emotional conflicts as they reassess their lives.

5. Scene 5:

   • Linda's emotional appeal shows both support and frustration.

   • Past ambitions clash with current failures, highlighting pain.

   • Loyalty and adversity become central themes.

   • Discusses the disillusionment with the American Dream.

   • Positions Linda as a steady source of strength amidst chaos.

6. Scene 6:

   • Willy’s mental health worsens; hallucinations become more vivid.

   • The pressure from his dreams leads to emotional breakdowns.

   • He struggles to tell what’s real and what’s from his memory.

   • The theme of self-deception returns as family truths come to light.

   • Shows a build-up for conflict as tensions rise.

7. Scene 7:

   • Tension increases as Willy's mental state worsens.

   • Biff confronts unrealistic expectations, causing strain.

   • Loyalty and family responsibility clash with individual wishes.

   • Marks a key moment for the characters as crises come closer.

8. Scene 8:

   • Biff struggles to understand Willy while facing his rejection.

   • Conflicts arise as strategies to resolve issues clash.

   • Willy's desperation creates emotional shifts in the family.

   • Builds tension leading to the climax of the play.

9. Scene 9:

   • Willy's decisions show desperation as his dreams clash with reality.

   • Unfolding conversations reveal deeper character motives.

   • A major conflict appears as truths emerge about their lives.

   • Key moments hint at tragic outcomes to come.

10. Scene 10:

    • Willy’s despair grows as he faces failures.

    • Family discussions reveal hidden tensions and hopes.

    • The family starts to view success differently, adding conflict.

    • Represents a major turning point that deepens family issues.

11. Scene 11:

    • Willy undergoes turmoil from unresolved conflicts.

    • The weight of expectations brings a final showdown.

    • Questions what it means to be successful in today’s world.

    • Characters reflect on their roles within the family.

12. Scene 12:

    • The closing moments show Willy’s tragic choice.

    • Resolves past issues as they interact with the present.

    • Underlines themes of loss and pursuit of dreams.

    • Foreshadows Willy’s lasting impact on his family.

13. Scene 13:

    • Biff realizes who he really is, contributing to his growth.

    • Conflicts resolve and allow for maturity.

    • The necessity of confronting truth becomes key.

    • Highlights legacy tensions and expectations.

14. Scene 14:

    • The end reflects the hope for change and family growth.

    • Family interactions determine the crisis and transformation.

    • Themes of despair and hope blend, reflecting on American life.

    • Leaves questions about legacy and identity.

    • Encapsulates Miller’s views on society.

IMPORTANT SYMBOLS

• The Flute: Signifies Willy’s dreams and how time passes.

• Seeds: Show Willy's wish to leave something real and meaningful behind.

• The House: Represents Willy’s material dreams and the price paid for them.

QUOTES OF IMPORTANCE

• Willy's Identity: “I am not a dime a dozen! I am Willy Loman, and you are Biff Loman!”

  • Highlights Willy’s struggle for identity and importance.

• Biff's Reality: “I’m a dime a dozen, and so are you!”

  • Critiques unrealistic ambitions and self-deception.

• Linda's Strength: “Attention, attention must be finally paid to such a person.”

  • Stresses the necessity of recognizing personal struggles.

CONTEXT AND RELEVANCE

• "Death of a Salesman" critiques society and personal identity.

• Focuses on themes of temporary success, family conflict, and mental health issues.

• Continues to resonate today, reflecting ongoing disappointment in the quest for the American Dream.