“Death of A Salesman”
Arthur Miller
Act I
Sequence 1
1.
2.
3.
4.
(Pg 1 – 8)
Why has Willy had to give up his trip to New England?
Comment on Willy’s attitude (s) towards Biff.
What does Willy feel about life in the city today?
What are our first impressions of Linda?
Quotations: 1.
2.
3.
4.
Present
Consider the relevance of the following:
I’m vital in New England” (pg 4)
“I’m tired to the death” (pg 2)
“Some people accomplish something” (pg 4)
“There’s such an undercurrent in him – he became a
moody man” (pg 5)
Sequence 2
(Pg 8-15 )
Present
Compare the characters of Biff and Happy.
How far can you trust what they say?
Sequence 3
(Pg 15-26)
Past
1. Discuss Willy’s relationship with his sons when they were
schoolboys, particularly with Biff.
Explain the
philosophy of life he teaches them. Do you think Willy is
a good father?
2. Consider Bernard’s role in this sequence. Why does he
appear so often in Willy’s flashbacks?
3. Discuss the relationship between Willy and Linda.
4. Account for the woman and her importance in Willy’s life.
Sequence 4
(Pg 26-36 )
Present
Present/Past
1. Pick out any one remark Willy makes about his brother
Ben.
What do you learn about both men from this comment?
2. Charley frequently says to Willy, “Don’t get insulted”.
Find several reasons for Willy to “get insulted”.
3. What sort of man is Ben? What is his philosophy of life?
Do you agree with it? What effect does it have on Willy?
4. Why does Willy feel “kind of temporary about myself”?
(pg35)
Quotations: Consider the dramatic irony of the following:
1. “I never in my life told him anything but decent things”
(pg 26)
2. “Willy the jails are full of fearless characters”
(pg 34)
3. “Between him and his son Bernard, they can’t hammer
a nail” (pg 34)
4. “It’s contacts Charley, I got important contacts”
(pg 35)
Sequence 5 (Pg 36 -49 )
Present/Past
1. Linda tries to explain Willy and his present circumstances
to his sons. In the process, she states Miller’s view of
tragedy. What is her attitude to her husband? Why does
she demand “attention” for him? Whom does she see as
his enemies?
2. Study the dialogue on pg 43
Analyse the conflict here between father and son. (43-45)
3. Happy tries to improve the situation (Bill Oliver, the
Loman brothers). Show how conflict continually arises
between Biff and Willy.
4. This is a scene of quickening tempo involving the whole
family. The bedroom scene (pg 48-49) brings the scene to
a quiet close. Note all the important points which are
recapitulated in these final pages. Do you find the end of
the Act optimistic or pessimistic.
Quotations:
Consider the relevance of the following:
1. “Since when did you get so clean?” (pg 44)
2. “Everyone likes a kidder but nobody lends him money”
(pg 45)
3. “You’re gonna live with me, kid, and any babe you want,
just say the word . . .” (pg 47)
4. “Because you’ve got a greatness in you Biff, remember
that” (pg 48)
5. “I’m gonna get married Mom. I wanted to tell you”
(pg 48)
6. “A star like that, magnificent, can never really fade away”
(pg 49)
7. “Willy dear, what has he got against you?” (pg 49)
8. “Gee look at the moon moving between the buildings”
(pg 49)
***End of Act I***
Critical Essay option after Act 1
Trace the development of Willy throughout Act 1, establishing
how effectively he is portrayed as a believable character. How
far do we sympathise with him by the close of the opening Act?
Act 2
Sequence 1
(Pg 50 – 54)
1. Act 2 begins happily. What are the signs of optimism?
Identify six.
What are the pessimistic signs that cannot be escaped?
Again, if possible, identify six.
2. Which of Linda’s characteristics does she display, in a
minor way, in her farewells to Willy and Biff? Quote and
comment.
Sequence 2 (Pg 54 – 61)
1.
Explain
 Willy’s expectations as to the way a business
should be run and
 What made him decide to become a salesman in
the first place.
 What do these facts add to your understanding of
Willy?
What is your opinion of Howard’s attitude to
Willy? Make reference to how he addresses him.
3. Consider the relevance of the following:
 “I’m gonna take my camera, and my bandsaw,
and all my hobbies, and out they go” (pg 56)
 “you gotta admit, business is business” (pg 58)
 “if I had 40 dollars a week, that’s all I’d need”
(pg 59)
2.
 “you can’t eat the orange and throw the peel
away – a man is not a piece of fruit! Now pay
attention” (pg 59)