Death of a Salesman Study Guide

Death of a Salesman Study Guide

Arthur Miller

  • Born: 1915

  • Died: 2005

  • Academic Background:

    • Did not have a storied academic background.

    • Graduated high school after flunking algebra three times.

  • Influences:

    • Had great respect for the working man.

    • The book, The Brothers Karamazov, convinced him he was born to be an author.

  • Education:

    • 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.

  • Writing Career:

    • Won the Avery Hopwood award 18 months into his college career for his first play.

    • Married after graduation in 1938 and earned a living writing radio plays at 100 dollars per script.

Career Highlights

  • World War II:

    • Could not fight in World War II because of an injury.

  • First Play:

    • Finished his first play in 1944 - The Man Who Had All the Luck - made it to Broadway but for only 4 performances.

  • Awards:

    • 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.

  • Personal Life:

    • At the pinnacle of his success in 1956, he divorced his wife and married Marilyn Monroe.

    • His political beliefs began hurting his literary career.

  • Influence:

    • Henrik Ibsen was his greatest influence, emphasizing social themes - “Man can survive only by retaining his personal integrity.”

Death of a Salesman - Overview

  • Writing Process:

    • Miller wrote the play in complete solitude in a cabin he built, finishing the rough draft in roughly 3 days.

  • First Performance:

    • The play was first performed in Philadelphia; the audience was so stunned they did not clap, with many men openly weeping.

  • Recognition:

    • Death of a Salesman won almost every drama award, including the Pulitzer Prize.

  • Cultural Impact:

    • Willy Loman has become an American symbol of the little man who gives his life to a job and receives nothing in return.

    • The play had an original run of 742 performances and has been performed countless times since.

    • Recognized as America’s finest and most critically acclaimed play.

    • Questions what provides true happiness and critiques the false values of modern society.

    • True to Miller’s belief in man’s pursuit of human integrity.

Important Quotations

  • From Characters:

    • “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

  • From Character Insights:

    • “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

Vocabulary – Act 1

  • Jovial: Genial; gay; happy.

  • Mercurial: Changeable; fickle; volatile.

  • Turbulent: Tumultuous; agitated.

  • Vital: Necessary; essential.

  • Agitation: Emotional disturbance.

  • Pompous: Self-important; pretentious.

  • Indignantly: Expressing anger at injustice.

  • Insinuates: Implies; suggests.

  • Immersed: Engrossed; completely absorbed.

  • Incipient: Just beginning to appear.

  • Anemic: Pale; weak; lifeless.

  • Scrim: Opaque or transparent curtain.

  • Incarnate: In human form.

  • Laconic: Unexcitable; impassive.

  • Trepidation: Fearful uncertainty; anxiety.

Vocabulary - Act 2

  • Stolid: Brief or terse in speech.

  • Ignoramus: Ignorant person.

  • Enterprises: Business organizations.

  • Stance: Way of standing.

  • Imbue: Inspire with emotions or ideas.

  • Surlily: Gloomily; sullenly.

  • Philandering: Engaging in passing love affairs.

  • Remiss: Careless; negligent.

  • Incredulously: Skeptically.

  • Candidly: Openly; honestly.

  • Raucous: Loud and rowdy; noisy.

  • Implacably: Not able to be quieted.

  • Immobile: Not movable.

  • Seething: Boiling with anger.

  • Pulsation: Rhythmic beating.

Study Questions – Act 1

  • Setting the Stage:

    • Describe Willy’s house: Small, fragile; it has the “air of a dream.”

    • Describe Willy as he first appears: Carrying 2 large sample cases; past 60; dressed quietly; exhausted.

    • What do the introductory remarks reveal about Linda’s personality? Jovial; has repressed her exceptions to Willy’s behavior; admires him; turbulent desires.

    • What hints of possible tensions or problems are given in the opening remarks? Willy’s fatigue; past tensions with Linda; Linda’s unfulfilled desires.

    • Expressionistic devices/techniques: The flute; the lighting; ability to walk through sections of the house.

Study Questions (cont.) – Act 1

  • Why is Linda worried when Willy returns unexpectedly from the sales trip?

    • He was not supposed to be back; potential accidents (smashed car, illness).

  • Willy’s explanation for return: He is exhausted; car kept drifting onto the shoulder.

  • Linda's response illustrates: Excuses for Willy’s behavior.

  • Why isn’t Willy working in New York?

    • He is vital in New England.

  • Tension between Willy and Biff: Willy’s anger over Biff’s lack of achievement.

Study Questions (cont.) – Act 1

  • Why did Willy expect Biff to amount to more?

    • Biff was good looking, hard worker, popular in high school.

  • Biff's desires: Outdoor work without pressures; Willy thinks it’s wasteful.

  • Willy's feelings of being boxed in: Apartment growth; street congestion; loss of fresh air.

  • Symbolic name “Loman”: Represents insignificance (low man on the totem pole).

  • Biff vs. Happy: Biff is less competitive, more genuine; Happy is a womanizer.

Study Questions (cont.) – Act 1

  • How does Happy interpret Willy’s problems? Nostalgically relates Willy's issues to Biff's dissatisfaction.

  • Biff's job history: Shipping clerk, salesman, cattle herder.

  • Why Biff dislikes home: Constant arguments with Willy.

  • Is Happy enjoying life? No; feels lonely with no promising future.

  • Happy’s reaction to Biff’s suggestion to go West: Interested, but wants to stay to prove himself.

Study Questions (cont.) – Act 1

  • Happy’s character in conversation: Competitive, shallow, womanizing, self-deceiving.

  • Bill Oliver: Former boss; Biff seeks loan from him.

  • Happy's motivation for Biff talking to Willy: Hopes to resolve Willy’s issues.

  • Willy's lessons to Biff: Importance of being well-liked; initiative over honesty; personality over intelligence.

  • Willy's focus on Biff vs. Happy: Attentiveness to Biff’s needs overlooked Happy’s longing for recognition.

Study Questions (cont.) – Act 1

  • Willy's reaction to Biff's stolen football: Laughs at theft, encourages initiative.

  • Reason for not encouraging Biff's studying: Believes in Biff's abilities to succeed without effort.

  • Income and debt emphasis: Illustrates Willy’s pressures and false success.

  • Reactions to Willy's realization of stagnation: Willy feels self-critical; Linda makes excuses.

  • Woman’s introduction purpose: Highlights Willy’s family commitment struggles and guilt towards Linda.

More Study Questions and Character Dynamics

  • Differences between Biff and Bernard: Biff is popular; Bernard is studious.

  • Willy's “woods are burning” comment: Describes his overwhelming situation and limited time for resolution.

  • Willy rejects Charley's job offer: Pride prevents acknowledging need for help.

  • Willy's pride in ceiling: Represents tangible success and accomplishment.

  • Willy’s envy of Ben: Material success and risk-taking.

Study Questions (cont.) – Act 1

  • Willy’s hopes for his sons: Rugged, well-liked, and fearless men.

  • Imagery meanings (jungle, Africa, gold, diamonds): Symbolizes adventure and wealth for those taking chances.

  • Mock fight between Ben and Biff: Willy's desire for affirmation; Ben teaches ruthlessness.

  • Linda's upset with Biff: His disrespect towards Willy.

  • Linda's comment on Willy’s dying: Implicit mentions of Willy’s suicidal ideation.

Study Questions (cont.) – Act 1

  • Biff’s view on business world: Critique of value placed on appearance over personal enjoyment.

  • Happy’s idea: Sporting goods chain based on familial events, pleasing Willy.

  • Being liked vs. having friends: Liked by many, truthfulness fosters real friendships.

  • Nice personality vs. good person: Personality is entertaining; goodness is honesty and reliability.

  • Nice lifestyle vs. living well: Materialism vs. moral and spiritual living.

Study Questions – Act 2

  • Evidence of Willy's renewed interest in life: Good sleep, desire for seeds, potential house purchase, job inquiry.

  • Linda’s reminder of unpaid bills: Interrupts Willy’s optimism with reality.

  • Willy's request to Howard: Seeks job in New York.

  • Howard's lack of empathy: Represents corporate insensitivity while distracted by technology.

  • Dave Singleman: Inspirational salesman figure reinforcing Willy’s ideals of success.

Study Questions (cont.) – Act 2

  • Howard's refusal to let Willy go to Boston: He fires Willy, unwilling to retain him.

  • Howard's actions during conversation: Shows insensitivity to Willy’s plight.

  • Willy and Charley conversation: Contrast between Willy's values and Charley’s pragmatic work ethic.

  • Willy's need for Ben's guidance: Seeks assurance, but Ben departs without resolution.

  • Linda’s fear of Ben: Desires stability for Willy in the city environment.

Study Questions (cont.) – Act 2

  • Bernard’s success: Wealthy lawyer; cases before the Supreme Court; affluent social circle.

  • Willy’s inquiry to Bernard about success: Seeks wisdom but finds frustration in lack of clarity on Biff’s failure.

  • Willy's anger at Bernard: Defensive reaction to perceived blame for Biff's shortcomings.

  • Willy’s incredulity at Bernard’s success: Finds it surprising Charley did not influence Bernard’s achievements.

  • Charley's attempt to help Willy: Offer of a job rejected due to Willy's pride.

Study Questions (cont.) – Act 2

  • Charley’s explanation for success: Claims his lack of interest lightened burdens.

  • Happy's behavior in the restaurant: Reflects superficial tendencies similar to Willy’s.

  • Biff's reaction to Bill Oliver’s unrecognition: Resulting theft of a pen.

  • Discovery in the office: Realization of life’s deceit and unfulfilled truths.

  • Biff’s anger with Willy: Frustration at Willy’s interruptions impeding honesty.

Study Questions (cont.) – Act 2

  • Is Biff cruel to Willy? No; seeks to reveal true understanding.

  • Happy's attitude: Yes, maintains comforting lies.

  • Flashbacks after news of Bill Oliver: Flashback to Biff discovering Willy’s affair.

  • Outcome of Biff and Willy’s Boston encounter: Biff rejects his father due to disappointment.

  • Willy's infidelities: Mirror the falsehoods of the business world.

Study Questions (cont.) – Act 2

  • Linda’s rejection of flowers: Disappointment in the boys’ failure to support Willy.

  • Twenty-thousand dollar proposition: Life insurance entailing Willy’s planned suicide.

  • Willy's funeral vision: Imagines beloved by many, proving his worth in public perception.

  • Ben’s warning: Suggests cowardice; possibly against policy honor.

  • Biff's intention for family: Leave for good, avoid further complications.

Study Questions (cont.) – Act 2

  • Biff’s emotional display lesson for Willy: Recognition of love and familial bonds.

  • Willy’s suicide reasoning post-reconciliation: Desire to regain Biff's respect through legacy.

  • Method of Willy's suicide: Car crash as the act of finality.

  • Happy’s response to Willy's death: Insists on continuing Willy's legacy with false dreams.

  • Biff’s understanding by play's end: Recognition of Willy’s wrong dreams; seeks authentic happiness.

Study Questions (cont.) – Act 2

  • Charley’s view of Willy: Compassionate understanding without condoning his actions.

  • Linda’s confusion: Struggling to grasp the reasons for Willy’s suicide.

  • Biff and Happy’s divergent paths: Pursuit of authentic happiness vs. proving familial legacy.

  • Responsibility for Willy’s death: Analyzed through pride, false dreams, and distorted ideals of success.

  • Commentary on personality and business: Critique of the ruthlessness inherent in the need to sell oneself in business.

Themes

  • The American Dream:

    • Investigates the validity and attainability of the American Dream through the characters' struggles.

  • Pursuit of Happiness vs. Material Wealth:

    • Contrasts personal fulfillment against economic success and consumerist values.

  • Lying and Exaggerating:

    • Characters engage in self-deception, limiting genuine relationships.

  • Identity:

    • Biff's quest for authenticity poses questions about the nature of self-worth.

  • Unrealistic Expectations:

    • Willy’s misguided aspirations for Biff anchor the family in falsehoods and regrets.

Themes (cont.)

  • Nature vs. City:

    • Tension between Willy’s longing for nature and the restrictive urban landscape.

  • Mortality vs. Immortality:

    • Characters grapple with legacies and fears of insignificance; Willy’s legacy concerns through life insurance.

  • Suicide:

    • Explores complex motivations behind Willy’s suicidal ideation as a comment on failure and disillusionment.

  • Tragic Hero vs. Antihero:

    • Questions the nature of heroism in Willy’s passionate yet flawed pursuits.

Symbols

  • Flute:

    • Represents the traveling salesman, signifying independence and nostalgia.

  • Sneakers:

    • Symbol of success, indicating athleticism and achievement.

  • Stockings:

    • Represent guilt, infidelity, and betrayal in Willy’s life.

  • “The woods are burning”:

    • Illustrates the urgency of Willy’s circumstances, highlighting critical moments of life.

  • Seeds:

    • Depict the human need for creation, leaving legacies, and potential for new beginnings.

  • Fountain Pen:

    • Symbolizes revenge and Willy’s feelings of defeat.

  • Howard:

    • Represents corporate America’s indifference.

  • Dave Singleman:

    • Personification of success and the ideal salesman image.

  • Rubber Tube:

    • Illustrates hopelessness, escape, and the finality of suicide.