Death of a Salesman Flashcards
Who says this and what tragic conventions are shown:
“Disgrace…he’s a lazy bum, goddammit! ..Biff is a lazy bum!”
Willy:
This shows Willy’s disappointment in his son Biff, just because he isn’t living up to his fathers standards.
Who says this and what tragic conventions are shown:
“The street is lined with cars…you can’t raise a carrot in the backyard”
Willy:
He wants freedom, this foreshadows the end of the play. AO3: consumerism and industrialisation.
Who says this and what tragic conventions are shown:
“Will you stop mending stockings?”
Willy:
Reminds him of the woman he cheated on Linda with.
Who says this and what tragic conventions are shown:
“The jungle is dark but full of diamonds, Willy”
Willy:
He imagines this is said by Ben, his brother, as he is having a delusion. Taunting him with the luxury of freedom.
Who says this and what tragic conventions are shown:
“Why does Dad mock me all the time? …twist of mockery”
Biff:
Willy is responsible for his sons downfall as he is horrible to them.
Who says this and what tragic conventions are shown:
“Because Charley is not - liked. He’s liked, but not - well liked”
Willy:
His ideology between success and popularity and how they are connected.
Who says this and what tragic conventions are shown:
“I have friends”
Willy:
AO4: links with Great Gatsby and how popularity shows success - it is important to Willy.
Who says this and what tragic conventions are shown:
“Don’t blame everything on me! I didn’t flunk math”
Willy:
He won’t accept responsibility for anything, he is confusing reality with delusion.
Who says this and what tragic conventions are shown:
“You vengeful, spiteful mut!”
Willy:
He is verbally and also physically abusive towards his kids, more so Biff than Happy.
Who says this and what tragic conventions are shown:
“They seem to laugh at me…I’m not noticed”
Willy:
People laugh at him and he isn’t seen, not popular therefore not successful so he thinks he is a failure.
Who says this and what tragic conventions are shown:
“I slept like a dead one”
Willy:
Foreshadowing and dramatic irony.
Who says this and what tragic conventions are shown:
“When he died, hundreds of salesmen and buyers were at his funeral”
Willy:
The man he is talking about is popular and thus successful, he had a good life - something Willy aspires to have.
Who says this and what tragic conventions are shown:
“I’ve got to get some seeds”
Willy:
He needs to leave something for his family as he knows he is gonna kill himself.
Who says this and what tragic conventions are shown:
“Oh that’s the spirit, Willy!”
Linda:
She glimpses her husbands previous self which brings her joy and happiness as he is not delusional right now; creates pathos as this moment won’t last.
Who says this and what tragic conventions are shown:
“Willy, darling, you’re the handsomest man in the world-“
Linda:
She adores her husband and wants to flatter him, after she says this another woman is heard laughing, signifying how easily men are pleased.
