Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller

The stereotypical salesman: Aggressive unctuous (slick) sly not always honest phony

Salesmen: How have they changed? 1940s-1950s traveled door-to-door large numbers Today rarely door-to-door telemarketing computers not as much traveling Three points for each

Willy Loman Famous American character actors want to play him; challenge obsessive desire to succeed being liked/loved=success Four points

Willy’s family Sons: Biff and Happy wife: Linda= unconditional love brother: Ben= material success

Structure: “Inside his head” Present day: 1945 Willy in 60’s having troubles Biff & Happy in 30’s Ben is dead Flashbacks: 1928 Biff & Happy in HS Biff = football star Ben stops by for a visit

Setting and sound House: open= realism “opening up roof & looking in” lighting & sound/ costumes used to indicate flashback flute music in background

Writing: How do you define success? How does society define success? What do you need to do in order to have success? What are the obstacles to personal success and how can people overcome them? Who are the people that you view as successful?

Success! How do you define success? How does Willy Loman define success? How does Biff Loman define success? How does Happy Loman define success?

Symbolism: Willy Loman’s back yard 1945 1928

Symbolism Apartment houses surround Loman house Block sunlight Replace elm trees

Symbolism 1928 1945

Symbolism Stockings -expensive -Linda tries to repair the holes in her stockings -mistress gets new stockings Symbolize illusion vs. reality

Act II opens in 1945 Willy and Linda discuss finances: Why is this scene repeated?

Willy: Mr. Fix-it Puts up a ceiling Builds front porch Installs plumbing Gardens “Even your grandfather was better than a carpenter . . .” “A man who can’t handle tools is not a man . . .”

Symbolism: ACT II: Why is the tape recorder in the scene? --Willy does not know what it is --he cannot afford it --does not know how to operate it --Howard ignores Willy to give attention to his new “hobby” The tape recorder symbolizes Willy’s inability to adapt to the new technology in the business world

Dave Singleman Willy’s inspiration Success until age 84 Willy says DS was “loved.” Died the “death of a salesman” On the train, on business Large funeral

ACT II: Howard Willy’s boss/ same age as Biff Howard treats Willy same way Willy treats Linda He calls Willy “Kid” Howard is boss b/c of his father Willy still focused on “he put his hand on my shoulder . .”

ACT II: Ben Jungle= difficulty (business world) Diamond= Reward success

Symbolism: ACT II: Nothing will grow; sunlight blocked: Willy can’t succeed Willy wants to plant seeds: “I’ve got nothing in the ground . . .”

Symbolism: Act II: fountain pen -Bill Oliver’s -Biff steals it -Realizes he doesn’t want it Pen = business world Biff realizes he does not want to be in business Biff: “What am I grabbing this for?”

“Be liked . . .” Himself Biff Ben Charley Bernard Howard Willy: you must be well-liked/attractive to have success. Who proves Willy’s theory wrong? Himself Biff Ben Charley Bernard Howard

Discussion questions 1. Compare Willy’s relationship with Linda to his relationship with Charley 2. Compare and contrast Biff to Willy 3. Compare and contrast Happy to Willy 4. Discuss the portrayal of women in the play: Linda, woman in Boston, Ms. Forsythe, Letta

Discussion questions: Compare Willy’s relationship with Linda to his relationship with Charley Charlie understands: “Nobody dast blame this man . . .” Linda: “I can’t understand . .. He only needed a little salary” Charlie: “no man needs only a little salary” Linda blames others: “Biff, his life is in your hands . . .” “don’t you care . . .” He treats both badly: “big ignoramus” “don’t interrupt . . .” Both are kind to him Linda takes care Charlie offers job Both enable him Linda doesn’t ? Charlie gives $

Compare and contrast Biff to Willy Both work with hands “he was a happy man with a bunch of cement” “To suffer 50 weeks of the year for a two week vacation. . .when all you really desire is to be outdoors with your shirt off.” Both enjoy attention Both seek approval Both dishonest Willy doesn’t change Biff has self-awareness “I realized something about myself” Biff defends Linda; wants to “settle down” Biff challenges both Linda and Happy “we never told the truth in this house”

Compare and contrast Happy to Willy Both contradict “big . . . “nobody knows me” “getting married .. .can never marry” Both exaggerate Jobs, women. . . Both focus on physical “losing weight” “foolish to look at” Both act superior to women Neither will give up dream Both are the unappreciated younger brother Willy works hard; Happy is lazy 10-12 hours day Cover yourself Happy more independent Happy feels entitled; Willy has put time in

Women: victims or in control? “pig” “gorgeous creatures” “ruined her . . . Can’t get rid of her . . . Women as prizes Women used for sex Linda = “foundation” Woman in Boston= controls business Bernard, Howard, Ben: wives Happy: “can’t get married”

Discussion question II DISCUSS WILLY LOMAN AS A PARENT IN BOTH THE PRESENT TIME AND IN THE FLASHBACKS TO 1928. WHAT ARE HIS STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES? BE SPECIFIC WHAT STATEMENT IS ARTHUR MILLER TRYING TO MAKE ABOUT THE BUSINESS WORLD AND AMERICAN SOCIETY? WHOSE FAULT IS WILLY’S TRAGEDY—HIS OWN OR SOCIETY When asked what item Willy sells, Arthur Miller has said, “Willy sells himself.” Explain what Arthur Miller means. How does Willy sell himself to further his career? How does he sell himself to Linda? To Ben? To Howard?

? How does he sell himself: To Linda? To Ben? “we hunt too . . .” Shows off sons Shows off building skills Sales totals “ I would have broke records . . .” “salary” from Charlie “I cracked him . . .” To Howard? “I’m going to get one myself. . .” Named him Howard Howard’s father “I had a big year!”

WILLY LOMAN AS A PARENT Good intentions Attentive; interested Works to provide Controlling Overly involved Sees no fault stubborn

Defining statements Willy Linda “Big shot” “I am not a dime a dozen . . .” “He put his hand on my shoulder . . .” “nothing’s planted . . .I haven’t got a thing in the ground . ..” “a man who can’t handle tools . . .” “You’re the only friend I got . . .” Linda “attention must be paid!” “How can I insult him. . .” “Why did you have to start that?” “You’ve turned your backs . . .” I can’t understand . . .

Defining statements Biff Happy “I’m like a boy” “I borrowed it from the locker room” “You gave her Mama’s stockings” “We never told the truth in this house” “What am I grabbing this for?” Happy “I’m losing weight/ getting married” “I get that any time I want” “I can outlift, outbox . “I’m gonna beat this.. “It’s the only dream you can have . . . Five on each side

Heroes? Willy Loman/John Proctor Individual vs. society Both don’t fit Both make mistakes Both sacrifice life Willy’s choice? Willy—wrong fit Proctor has more regret Willy’s suicide: motive?

WILLY’S TRAGEDY? HIS OWN FAULT SOCIETY’S FAULT Won’t listen Won’t adapt Dishonesty Jealousy Distorted image Narrow definition of success Poorly treated workers Pressure to be #1 Looks/popularity Looks down on labor Undeserved success No reward for hard work Leaves people behind