Death of a Salesman ACT 2 Response #2/Requiem

What is Willy’s dream? What is he searching for throughout the play? Why doesn’t he find it? Did he ever have a chance of fulfilling it? Biff says of Willy: “He had the wrong dreams. All, all, wrong” (111). Do you agree? Does Willy have the wrong dreams? Inappropriate attitudes? Is he a born loser or a tragic hero who stands in his own way to success?
         Willy's dream essentially depicts his search for diamonds just like Ben. Diamonds represent the materialism that is Willy’s dream also represents the success that Willy wants to have because it's the symbol of the American Dream - came with nothing but his clothes and left with diamonds. “On the basis of being liked” shows Willy’s false belief that being liked will get you success. At the end, Ben is a manifestation of Willy’s subconscious, asks him to go into the jungle to fetch diamonds for Biff. The use of “with greater force” and “with promise” highlights self-deception of Willy lying to himself. Diamonds for Willy are the money he gets with his life insurance which he gives to Biff to become a success but ultimately flawed view of success. This is ironic because diamonds are normally flawless.Willy's dream essentially depicts his search for diamonds just like Ben. Diamonds represent the materialism that is Willy’s dream also represents the success that Willy wants to have because it's the symbol of the American Dream - came with nothing but his clothes and left with diamonds. “On the basis of being liked” shows Willy’s false belief that being liked will get you success. At the end, Ben is a manifestation of Willy’s subconscious, asks him to go into the jungle to fetch diamonds for Biff. The use of “with greater force” and “with promise” highlights self-deception of Willy lying to himself. Diamonds for Willy are the money he gets with his life insurance which he gives to Biff to become a success but ultimately flawed view of success. This is ironic because diamonds are normally flawless.Willy's dream essentially depicts his search for diamonds just like Ben. Diamonds represent the materialism that is Willy’s dream also represents the success that Willy wants to have because it's the symbol of the American Dream - came with nothing but his clothes and left with diamonds. 

Why does Miller combine scenes from the past and Willy’s hallucinations alongside the current action of the play in the present? How does this movement between past/present/ and Willy’s imaginings add to the dramatic effect of the play? 
         The initial impression that I had of Willy Loman in the beginning of the play was that he seemed extremely neurotic and unstable. It seemed as though he was having trouble tracing and articulating his thoughts and emotions to his wife Linda. Their dialogue appeared as though Linda was speaking to Willy as how a mother would speak to her child – asking very specific and detailed questions to pacify Willy’s sense of agitation. Also, the way in which Willy talked about his car ride during his business trip seemed as though Willy was somewhat nostalgic or empty – he seemed like he longed for a sense of serenity through the way he spoke about the nature and the scenery - “But it’s so beautiful up there, Linda, the trees are so thick, and the sun is warm. I opened the windshield and just let the warm air bathe over me” (3) The fact that Willy kept talking about how he forgot about the fact that he was on the road and that he was driving forces the audience to question Willy’s sense of stability and sanity since we know he’s not a young man. Could his old age be getting in the way of his mental stability? After listening to Willy speak about his son Biff reveals a lot about Willy’s values and his character. The way in which Willy criticizes how Biff is working in a farm and how he’s not making “enough” money or doing anything great with his life demonstrates Willy’s value on monetary things. It also shows the extent of Willy’s disappointment towards his son Biff since even though he’s speaking lowly of Biff the audience can tell that Willy’s bitterness doesn’t stem from a feeling of animosity towards his son but rather because his affection and expectation for Biff was so grand and so immense to begin with his disappointment was therefore bigger. Listening to Willy reminisce about how his son Biff was idolized in high school also serves as an indication of how grand Willy’s expectations were for his older son Biff.

What do you notice about the use of music, sound effects and lighting in this section of the play? Note any specific instances that struck you and discuss how these aspects were used and for what effect. How did these dramatic techniques reinforce the action and meaning of the play?
         There’s a definite sense of kinship and closeness they possess as siblings. It was interesting to note how they thrived on complimenting each other continuously. But I also noticed a clear distinction between the two characters – it is evident that Biff bore a “worn air and seems less self-assured” about himself. He has succeeded less than Happy, and his more certain about his dreams but is extremely uncertain about his future. Happy on the other hand is “tall powerfully made” and he has never allowed himself to turn his face towards defeat and is thus more confused and hard-skinned, although seemingly more content” (8). Like the descriptions in the play, the way in which Biff talks about himself and his future there’s a definite sense of uncertainty and confusion in his voice. It seemed as though he was somewhat sure about what made him content in his life –farming and owning a ranch but he seemed torn in terms of being “successful” in the society’s eyes. He knew that in order to be “something big in life” he couldn’t be messing around in the farm. Biff possesses an innate desire to be “someone big”, someone successful in society, but what tugs at his heart is the reality that deep inside he knows that’s not what makes him content in life – just purely what’s expected of him. Happy on the other hand, seems like he’s carrying a somewhat successful life – a life that’s socially acceptable. He has a stable career, a girlfriend, and his own apartment. However, the reality that he fools around with women who are engaged reveals a sense of instability and mental disarray. It is evident that even with the facade of normalcy in his life Happy still suffers from immense unhappiness from the never-ending cycle of competition in the business world that chokes and incarcerates him. 

What would you say are the false values which the play reveals? What are the true values which the play upholds? Here, consider Miller’s commentary on success and failure, the business world, identity, dreams, popularity, integrity. What is one key understanding you’ve taken away from the play that relates to your own life and why?
         The false values the play reveals is about the notion of success - the American dream. Through the tragic depiction of Willy and his ultimate failure as a salesman (both psychologically and physically) portrays the negative aspect of "chasing after one's dream". This is revealed when Happy speaks about sleeping around with women whom he knows is supposed to be married to executives he knows - he states that “maybe [he] just has an overdeveloped sense of competition.” Happy also states that “I gotta show some of those pompous, self important executives over there that Hap Loman can make the grade. I want to walk into the store the way he walks in.” Here, we see that Happy possesses a strong desire to succeed more in his work and similar to Biff, be “someone big”. His overwhelming sense of competition and desire to triumph ultimately forces him to sleep around these women as a way to feel like he beat these executives. Something I found interesting during their conversation was how the Loman brothers seemed overly confident about their physical exterior. Unlike when they spoke about their mental stability and contentment, it seemed like their physical comepetence and attractiveness are what they could be sure of. Happy states “I can outbox, outrun, and outlift anybody in that store” and “men built like we are should be working out in the open”. It seemed as though due to their numerous insecurities they have about their future goals and lives they’re carrying – the confidence and reassurance they have about their physical competence is the only thing they can receive a sense of self-assurance. Also the ways in which these brothers speak about women portray their feeling of confidence about their sexuality and physical charm. 

Death of a Salesman ACT 2 Response #1

      How is the audience positioned to respond to Willy’s boss, Howard Wagner? Consider how Willy is treated by the company he works for, the significance of Howard's name and the significance of the scene where Howard is playing with a recorder while Willy is trying to talk to him. What do we learn about Howard's family life through the voices heard from the recorder? Why does Miller include this scene? 

      

      In act 2, we see that Willy visits his company in order to raise his pay. His boss is Howard Wagner and Willy’s interaction with Howard ultimately characterizes Willy’s feeling of insecurity due to his failure to succeed in the business field. It also characterizes the way in which Willy is treated at his work place, which essentially serves as the foundation of Willy’s sense of insecurity. The fact that Willy kept talking about how he forgot about the fact that he was on the road and that he was driving forces the audience to question Willy’s sense of stability and sanity since we know he’s not a young man. Could his old age be getting in the way of his mental stability? After listening to Willy speak about his son Howard reveals a lot about Willy’s values and his character. The way in which Willy criticizes how Howard is working in a farm and how he’s not making “enough” money or doing anything great with his life demonstrates Willy’s value on monetary things. It also shows the extent of Willy’s disappointment towards his son Biff since even though he’s speaking lowly of Howrd the audience can tell that Willy’s bitterness doesn’t stem from a feeling of animosity towards his son but rather because his affection and expectation for Howard was so grand and so immense to begin with his disappointment was therefore bigger. Listening to Willy reminisce about how his son Howard was idolized in high school also serves as an indication of how grand Willy’s expectations were for his older son Howard. His boss is Howard Wagner and Willy’s interaction with Howard ultimately characterizes Willy’s feeling of insecurity due to his failure to succeed in the business field. It also characterizes the way in which Willy is treated at his work place, which essentially serves as the foundation of Willy’s sense of insecurity. The fact that Willy kept talking about how he forgot about the fact that he was on the road and that he was driving forces the audience to question Willy’s sense of stability and sanity since we know he’s not a young man. Could his old age be getting in the way of his mental stability? After listening to Willy speak about his son Howard reveals a lot about Willy’s values and his character.

      Explain the difference in Charley and Bernard, and Willy and Biff’s worldviews. How has each father and son pair approached life? How do the different approaches account for where they have now ended up? How does Miller use the pairing of these foil characters to develop his ideas about dreams and success in the play? 

      In this act, it is evident that Charley and Bernard, and Willy and Biff possess contrasting worldviews. Charley and Bernard value a sense of morality and honesty – they believe hard work will eventually pay off and hard work and earnestness will get you far in life. That’s why Charley is able to maintain a business and Bernard is able to become a dignified lawyer.Unlike when they spoke about their mental stability and contentment, it seemed like their physical comepetence and attractiveness are what they could be sure of. Happy states “I can outbox, outrun, and outlift anybody in that store” and “men built like we are should be working out in the open”. It seemed as though due to their numerous insecurities they have about their future goals and lives they’re carrying – the confidence and reassurance they have about their physical competence is the only thing they can receive a sense of self-assurance. Also the ways in which these brothers speak about women portray their feeling of confidence about their sexuality and physical charm. They speak as though charming women and getting women are extremely effortless. They even refer to the women they slept with as “creatures”. Happy even states “I get that any time I want, Biff. Whenever I feel disgusted. The only trouble is, it gets like bowling or something. I just keep knockin’ them over and it doesn’t mean anything.” It seemed as though both of them especially Happy enjoy using their charm and getting girls because it serves as a temporary relief and a source of reassurance that they yearn for – a reminder that they’re still capable of attaining something in their lives. Just goes to show their insecurities –shows how they tried to escape from their mental incarcerations through superficial means.

      What is the significance of the name of the restaurant "Frank's Chop House"? Consider the fact that Willy's old boss (Howard's father) was also named Frank. What promises did Frank make to Willy? How is the name related to Charley's description of the famous American financier J. P. Morgan as looking like a "butcher"? What businesses and companies is the name of J. P. Morgan associated with in American economic history? What is the overall significance of the meat, chopping, and butchering imagery and its relations to business and businessmen? What do you think Miller is saying here?

      

      The significance of the name of “Frank’s Chop House” is symbolic due to the reality that Frank used to Willy’s old boss and Howard, who’s Frank’s son fires Willy from his company. Frank made promises with Willy stating that he will secure a place in the company for Willy. However, we see that Frank’s son brutally fires and takes away Willy’s place in the company, which shows how Frank’s promises were false. The significance of the name of is symbolic due to the reality that Frank used to Willy’s old boss and Howard, who’s Frank’s son fires Willy from his company. Frank made promises with Willy stating that he will secure a place in the company for Willy. However, we see that Frank’s son brutally fires and takes away Willy’s place in the company, which shows how Frank’s promises were false. The significance of the name of “Frank’s Chop House” is symbolic due to the reality that Frank used to Willy’s old boss and Howard, who’s Frank’s son fires Willy from his company. Frank made promises with Willy stating that he will secure a place in the company for Willy. However, we see that Frank’s son brutally fires and takes away Willy’s place in the company, which shows how Frank’s promises were false. The significance of the name of “Frank’s Chop House” is symbolic due to the reality that Frank used to Willy’s old boss and Howard, who’s Frank’s son fires Willy from his company. Frank made promises with Willy stating that he will secure a place in the company for Willy. However, we see that Frank’s son brutally fires and takes away Willy’s place in the company, which shows how Frank’s promises were false.

      What is the nature of the relations between business and sports depicted in this Act? What is Willy's attitude toward sports? What is the significance of the Ebbets Field game and subsequent events? What about the conversation which Willy has with Charley before the game? What does Charley think of sports? Why is this significant? 

      Willy's attitude towards sports is generally very positive, in fact he believes that an athletic ability should be glorified. Seeing Willy’s general attitude when heading to Biff’s baseball game shows the gravity of Willy’s attachment and glorifications towards sports. I believe Willy views the business world to be similar to playing sports considering how the ones that are good with people, and possess the talent will ultimately succeed. However, in contras to Willy, Charley doesn’t value sports as much as Willy does. He believes it’s a somewhat insignificant aspect of one’s life – considering how it doesn’t really get you anywhere. However, Willy is convinced that Biff will receive his scholarship through sports and will succeed in his life. Willy’s attitude towards sports is generally very positive, in fact he believes that an athletic ability should be glorified. Seeing Willy’s general attitude when heading to Biff’s baseball game shows the gravity of Willy’s attachment and glorifications towards sports. I believe Willy views the business world to be similar to playing sports considering how the ones that are good with people, and possess the talent will ultimately succeed. However, in contras to Willy, Charley doesn’t value sports as much as Willy does. He believes it’s a somewhat insignificant aspect of one’s life – considering how it doesn’t really get you anywhere. However, Willy is convinced that Biff will receive his scholarship through sports and will succeed in his life. 

     Find at least three quotations which are examples of foreshadowing in this section of the play and explain the significance of each. 

      

      “What’re you talking about? With scholarships to three universities they’re going to flunk him?” 

               This is significant considering how Biff doesn't get into any universities and live as a failure eventually. In a way Willy's overwhelming sense of confidence towards Biff's future foreshadows the destruction of Biff's future. It also foreshadows the reality that Willy is the main contributor of Biff's failure to graduate and sustain a stable job. The initial impressions I had of the two Loman brothers, Biff and Happy were cultivated through the conversation they had in the beginning of the play. The way they spoke to each other revealed their close and intimate bond. There’s a definite sense of kinship and closeness they possess as siblings. It was interesting to note how they thrived on complimenting each other continuously. But I also noticed a clear distinction between the two characters – it is evident that Biff bore a “worn air and seems less self-assured” about himself.

      

      “Willy, feeling biff’s muscles: you’re coming home this afternoon captain of the all-scholastic championship team of the city of new york.” 

               This quotation is significant because like the descriptions in the play, the way in which Biff talks about himself and his future there’s a definite sense of uncertainty and confusion in his voice. It seemed as though he was somewhat sure about what made him content in his life –farming and owning a ranch but he seemed torn in terms of being “successful” in the society’s eyes. He knew that in order to be “something big in life” he couldn’t be messing around in the farm. Biff possesses an innate desire to be “someone big”, someone successful in society, but what tugs at his heart is the reality that deep inside he knows that’s not what makes him content in life – just purely what’s expected of him. Happy on the other hand, seems like he’s carrying a somewhat successful life – a life that’s socially acceptable. He has a stable career, a girlfriend, and his own apartment. However, the reality that he fools around with women who are engaged reveals a sense of instability and mental disarray. It is evident that even with the facade of normalcy in his life Happy still suffers from immense unhappiness from the never-ending cycle of competition in the business world that chokes and incarcerates him. 

      “Yeah, heh? When this game is over, Charley, you’ll be laughing out of the other side of your face. They’ll be calling him another red grange. Twenty-five thousand a year."

               This is significant because the fact that Willy kept talking about how he forgot about the fact that he was on the road and that he was driving forces the audience to question Willy’s sense of stability and sanity since we know he’s not a young man. Could his old age be getting in the way of his mental stability? After listening to Willy speak about his son Biff reveals a lot about Willy’s values and his character. The way in which Willy criticizes how Biff is working in a farm and how he’s not making “enough” money or doing anything great with his life demonstrates Willy’s value on monetary things. It also shows the extent of Willy’s disappointment towards his son Biff since even though he’s speaking lowly of Biff the audience can tell that Willy’s bitterness doesn’t stem from a feeling of animosity towards his son but rather because his affection and expectation for Biff was so grand and so immense to begin with his disappointment was therefore bigger. Listening to Willy reminisce about how his son Biff was idolized in high school also serves as an indication of how grand Willy’s expectations were for his older son Biff.

Death of a Salesman ACT 1 Response

Consider what impression you have of each character and how these impressions change and develop during the course of the play. How does Miller position you to respond to the characters? Who do you see as the protagonist? Antagonist? How are the characters similar or different? Which characters are foils?

The initial impression that I had of Willy Loman in the beginning of the play was that he seemed extremely neurotic and unstable. It seemed as though he was having trouble tracing and articulating his thoughts and emotions to his wife Linda. Their dialogue appeared as though Linda was speaking to Willy as how a mother would speak to her child – asking very specific and detailed questions to pacify Willy’s sense of agitation. Also, the way in which Willy talked about his car ride during his business trip seemed as though Willy was somewhat nostalgic or empty – he seemed like he longed for a sense of serenity through the way he spoke about the nature and the scenery - “But it’s so beautiful up there, Linda, the trees are so thick, and the sun is warm. I opened the windshield and just let the warm air bathe over me” (3) The fact that Willy kept talking about how he forgot about the fact that he was on the road and that he was driving forces the audience to question Willy’s sense of stability and sanity since we know he’s not a young man. Could his old age be getting in the way of his mental stability? After listening to Willy speak about his son Biff reveals a lot about Willy’s values and his character. The way in which Willy criticizes how Biff is working in a farm and how he’s not making “enough” money or doing anything great with his life demonstrates Willy’s value on monetary things. It also shows the extent of Willy’s disappointment towards his son Biff since even though he’s speaking lowly of Biff the audience can tell that Willy’s bitterness doesn’t stem from a feeling of animosity towards his son but rather because his affection and expectation for Biff was so grand and so immense to begin with his disappointment was therefore bigger. Listening to Willy reminisce about how his son Biff was idolized in high school also serves as an indication of how grand Willy’s expectations were for his older son Biff.

The initial impressions I had of the two Loman brothers, Biff and Happy were cultivated through the conversation they had in the beginning of the play. The way they spoke to each other revealed their close and intimate bond. There’s a definite sense of kinship and closeness they possess as siblings. It was interesting to note how they thrived on complimenting each other continuously. But I also noticed a clear distinction between the two characters – it is evident that Biff bore a “worn air and seems less self-assured” about himself. He has succeeded less than Happy, and his more certain about his dreams but is extremely uncertain about his future. Happy on the other hand is “tall powerfully made” and he has never allowed himself to turn his face towards defeat and is thus more confused and hard-skinned, although seemingly more content” (8). Like the descriptions in the play, the way in which Biff talks about himself and his future there’s a definite sense of uncertainty and confusion in his voice. It seemed as though he was somewhat sure about what made him content in his life –farming and owning a ranch but he seemed torn in terms of being “successful” in the society’s eyes. He knew that in order to be “something big in life” he couldn’t be messing around in the farm. Biff possesses an innate desire to be “someone big”, someone successful in society, but what tugs at his heart is the reality that deep inside he knows that’s not what makes him content in life – just purely what’s expected of him. Happy on the other hand, seems like he’s carrying a somewhat successful life – a life that’s socially acceptable. He has a stable career, a girlfriend, and his own apartment. However, the reality that he fools around with women who are engaged reveals a sense of instability and mental disarray. It is evident that even with the facade of normalcy in his life Happy still suffers from immense unhappiness from the never-ending cycle of competition in the business world that chokes and incarcerates him. He’s bound by the responsibilities and the expectations of a normal businessman. This is revealed when Happy speaks about sleeping around with women whom he knows is supposed to be married to executives he knows - he states that “maybe [he] just has an overdeveloped sense of competition.” Happy also states that “I gotta show some of those pompous, self important executives over there that Hap Loman can make the grade. I want to walk into the store the way he walks in.” Here, we see that Happy possesses a strong desire to succeed more in his work and similar to Biff, be “someone big”. His overwhelming sense of competition and desire to triumph ultimately forces him to sleep around these women as a way to feel like he beat these executives.

Something I found interesting during their conversation was how the Loman brothers seemed overly confident about their physical exterior. Unlike when they spoke about their mental stability and contentment, it seemed like their physical comepetence and attractiveness are what they could be sure of. Happy states “I can outbox, outrun, and outlift anybody in that store” and “men built like we are should be working out in the open”. It seemed as though due to their numerous insecurities they have about their future goals and lives they’re carrying – the confidence and reassurance they have about their physical competence is the only thing they can receive a sense of self-assurance. Also the ways in which these brothers speak about women portray their feeling of confidence about their sexuality and physical charm. They speak as though charming women and getting women are extremely effortless. They even refer to the women they slept with as “creatures”. Happy even states “I get that any time I want, Biff. Whenever I feel disgusted. The only trouble is, it gets like bowling or something. I just keep knockin’ them over and it doesn’t mean anything.” It seemed as though both of them especially Happy enjoy using their charm and getting girls because it serves as a temporary relief and a source of reassurance that they yearn for – a reminder that they’re still capable of attaining something in their lives. Just goes to show their insecurities –shows how they tried to escape from their mental incarcerations through superficial means.

Later in the play seeing how Willy just blatantly talks to himself in the kitchen evokes a sense of pity towards Willy. The audience is able to see that there’s clearly something wrong with Willy - it’s as if he’s mentally lost it – a senile old man blubbering to himself about nonsense. Once the play shifts to a piece of Willy’s memory about the past is somewhat heartbreaking since the scene portrays the idealized moment of time where his children Biff and Happy completely idolized and worshiped Willy.

“Happy: [lies down on his back and pedals with his feet]: I’m losing weight, you notice, Pop?”

“Where’d you go this time, Dad? Gee, we were lonesome for you.”
“Missed you every minute”

“We’ll carry your bags, Pop!”

“You nervous, Biff, about the game?”

“Not if you’re gonna be there.”

“I’m taking one play for Pop. You watch me, Pop, and when I take off my helmet, that means I’m breaking out. Then you watch me crash through that line!” (19)

“[on his back, pedalling again]: I’m losing weight, you notice, Pop?”

“That’s why I thank Almight God you’re both built like Adonises” – puts significance in their physical capabilities

“I’m fat. I’m very – foolish to look at, Linda.” – his self-assurance is capricious/ insecure / his confidence comes and goes

Linda mending stockings in comparison to the woman who Willy buys many stockings for – evokes pity on Linda

She’s the most sane and stable person in the play

She’s incredibly devoted to her husband she’s constantly there right beside him comforting him and being his support system.

“I was talking wasn’t i?” “Will you let me finish?” – Willy talks down on Linda