Death of a Salesman.doc

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Death of a Salesman
Act 1
1. Willy tried to teach Biff and Happy conflicting views when they were boys.
Willy was always pushing his boys to be successful and tough, but left them,
for the most part, confused. He did not know how to teach them to be the
best. I think if Willy would have been able to actually teach them these values
then it would be worthwhile; he had the right intentions. Learning how to be
successful could ne useful to anyone
2. I do not think Linda wants the same as Willy does. She just wants to be
happy, where as Willy needs to have a lot of money and fame to be happy.
3. Linda’s role in Willy’s life is similar to a best friend in the form of support and
care, no matter the circumstances (Willy’s abuse). Linda is the moral
consciousness for her kids as well as the primary female figure in their lives
4. No, She should not be so sympathetic towards Willy because even though his
problems are horrible, he does not treat her with any respect that she
completely deserves
5. No, Linda’s support in not really strengthening his illusions, she is really just
trying to make him be a happier person. He would be the same with out her.
6. Biff and Happy are frustrated because they want to live up to their father’s
expectations, but his expectations are always changing. They each want
different things, like Biff want to just work on a farm because it makes him
happy, but they cannot do what they want because of their father. Biff has
shown anger and frustration to his family by always fighting and ignoring
Willy, and Happy is always in search of attention
7. Yes, I agree with Biff because he does not know what he wants out of life yet
and is in his thirties. He seems to be insecure and immature about his life
goals and plans. If he starts to make a habit of finding himself and taking
action on it may solve some of his problems.
8. Happy is looking for attention, love, and compassion, and girls have always
given that to him. He receives love from women during the time he spends
with them and that makes him feel like he’s looking for during that time.
9. Biff and Happy are similar because they both want success and to meet their
father’s standards, just in different ways. Happy is building up his
background in business and Biff is all over the place trying to find what he
really wants in life.
10. Willy is teaching his kids to be just like everyone else but better. His kids are
conforming to the American values accepted in society. Miller may be
commenting or even pointing out that the American values are solely based
off looks and nothing but looks
11. Biff reacts to his father’s value system by isolating himself from his father. He
will do what he wants and that’s it. Happy responds by seeking out attention.
“I’ve lost weight” is the line happy constantly repeats to his dad.
12. Willy wants Biff to finally grow up and get a real job, his idea of a real job at
least. Willy thinks Bill Oliver loves Biff and would gladly help him out. Not
only with biff finding a job but also stick around and be at home more often.
13. Willy looks up to his brother Ben and wants to be just like him and is
generally always trying to impress him with news about his children. Willy
thinks Ben knows the secret to success and therefore, the secret to a happy
life in Willy’s case. I think Ben might have an answer for Willy that he thinks
is right, but in all reality I do not think there is an actual answer
14. I think being “well liked” is definitely important no matter what. It will make
life easier for everyone involved. Although that may be true, some people
have become successful and have not been “well liked”
15. Willy’s childhood probably plays a huge role in the way he acts and thinks. It
has made him seem almost insecure. He tells his sons to act a certain way and
he goes and does the exact opposite.
16. Biff represents Willy because Willy is only trying to get Biff to do what he
wants, not what Biff wants. The source may be from frustration or confusion
from Willy
17. I think Linda loved Willy’s personality, cheerfulness, and determination
before he began to go crazy. Even though he is abusive, she does not seem to
mind or she just writes it off as normal or her fault.
Act 2
1. Miller might not add the detail of what Willy really sells because it doesn’t
really matter. I think he may sell a couple of different things and one of them
being ladies’ tights. Partly because he gives Miss Francis 2 boxes and the
context is which that happen sounds like he sells them.
2. I think the scene with the wire recorder contributes to the establishment of
the time period as well as character traits consumption is a new trend
spreading across America. Everyone has to have this latest this and that
3. He still remembers the old salesman because he was Willy’s role model. This
old salesmen gives Willy hope to have a stable job.
4. Yes, I kind of did see that firing coming. Willy went from way high on the
totem pole to working and getting paid on commission. This plus his mental
problems built toward his firing.
5. Both characters began to affect willy more and more as the story progressed
into act 2. Biff Began to take a toll on willy because he is back from the west
and not doing anything with his life. Willy looks up to Bernard because his is
smart and going somewhere
6. Biff realized that his whole life has pretty much been a lie. His parents and
brother, Happy, have all been living a fairly tale. Happy has not gotten any
further than an assistant’s assistant, Willy is not any different than any other
salesman, and biff realizes he just wants to work out in the country and enjoy
the world.
7. The fountain pen symbolizes a life he could never have. Therefore, by taking
the pen he felt like he had a feel for a life he could never live
8. No, I do not think Biff should have lied to Willy. By telling Willy the truth Biff
was being himself and honest.
9. HEYHEYHEYHEYUHEYEHEYEYHEYEHEEYHEYEHEYE
10. I believe that Willy genuinely wanted to be a good father and husband but
that does not make him a good father or husband. Both his sons end up
emotionally unstable with insecure and poor morals
11. At the end of the play Willy commits suicide by car crash, hoping to get
insurance money in order to provide for his family. Happy responded to
Willy’s suicide in a positive way. Although sadden by his father’s death, it
motivates Happy and propels him to take up a future as a salesman. Linda
will be overcome by grief and become an immediate mess. She will be
devastated and feel personally responsible for Willy’s death. I wasn’t
surprised with Willy’s death because his thoughts and craziness lead to
unfortunate ending for Willy.
12. I believe the characters in Death of a Salesman are exceptionally realistic in
American society. Each character represents a certain group of people in real
life. As an example Linda represents the abused partner in an abusive
relationship. Willy represents the middle/ lower class people constantly
working to gain wealth and social status. Personally my parents remind me
of Willy because both work really hard to provide a chance for a better future
for my and my sibling.
13. I disagree with Biff “Willy never know who he was” because although Willy
lacked an influential father figure he still was determined individual working
towards his goal. His ultimate goal in life was to provide for his family and
ensure his sons could have a good future. Although depressive, Willy’s life
was willed with purpose
14. I believe Biff followed through and forgot about the American dream and quit
trying to pursue a career as a salesman. I believe he has settled down and
focused on a career pertaining to what he enjoys. I believe Happy will follow
right behind his Father’s foot steps due to his mentality he has brought into
the false American Dream Linda will probably have a very traumatic
aftermath. Happy has bought into the American dream his father so strongly
believed in. I believe history will repeat itself
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17. Willy’s death does not mean anything to me because he was so blinded by his
own misfortunes skewed dreams. It signifies the essential human truth of it’s
meaning is that the American dream is false and often unattainable.
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