act 1 quotes

Question 1

‘everybody likes a kidder but nobody lends him money.- Willy

Answer 1

advising Biff not to copy his own mistakes? perpetrating of his own hardships; admires his humanity in acknowledging his problems.

Question 2

‘why boys, when I was seventeen… and by God I was rich.’ -Uncle Ben

Answer 2

doesn’t reveal his secrets to success, no substantial answer, Willy appears to be no victim, no real answer to success, either you have it or you don’t.

Question 3

‘I feel kind of temporary about myself’- Willy

Answer 3

Revelation of his character, unsure of himself, constantly contradicting and he feels like he is about to change in some way.

Question 4

‘towering angular shapes behind it…’

Answer 4

exposition sets up a negative atmosphere for the act.

Question 5

’ I’m vital in New England’ - Willy

Answer 5

false sense of identity; invokes pathos and reveals his disconnection with reality.

Question 6

“Why am I trying to become what I don’t want to
be…” (Biff)

Answer 6

still lost; lack of identity; trying to find himself without Willy’s
influence

Question 7

“He’s only
a little boat looking for a harbour.” (Linda)

Answer 7

sentimental expression shows care for Willy while recognising his weakness; paints him
as a victim

Question 8

“He’s the dearest man in the world to
me.” (Linda)

Answer 8

invokes pathos as Willy had an affair; hopeless as weak Willy is the only thing that gives her
purpose

Question 9

“Linda is sitting…is mending a pair of her silk
stockings.

Answer 9

invokes pathos for her as she suffers because of Willy’s affair; contrast of tender scene of married life and scandalous affair portrays Willy as an insincere and guilty character; evidence that Willy invents his own
hardships