Death of a Salesman

Question 1

Aristotle’s 3 unities of tragedy

Answer 1

unity of time: play should take place over 24 hours
unity of action: 1 main plot, no subplots
unity of place: only set in 1 place

Question 2

Aristotle’s characteristics of tragic hero

Answer 2

A male character of noble birth who experiences a reversal of fortune due to a tragic flaw. In addition, the realization of this flaw evokes sympathy from the audience.

Question 3

Aristotle’s tragic hero experience

Answer 3

1. Shows him that we are all tied to a fate larger than ourselves, and our own choices, and try as we may, we cannot escape this fate.
2. Gives him a glimpse of the divine order of the universe. Order is often ironic and defies logic. In modern tragedies, the divine order is replaced with other elements of hamartia.
3. His suffering has a meaning or eternal significance.
4. He gains the strength to rise up to accept his fate.

Question 4

Context: The Great Depression

Answer 4

With the crash of the stock market in 1929, America plummeted into the worst economic downturn ever. This led to mass unemployment so people moved the the Mid-West for jobs. This led to ‘The New Deal’ whereby the government gave people money to be spent back into the economy.

Question 5

How is the Great Depression shown in Death Of A Salesman?

Answer 5

Death Of A Salesman illustrates the personal effects of The Great Depression. The shattered dreams are reflected in Willy Loman, who is unable to attain financial or emotional stability, despite a life-long career and marriage.

Question 6

Context: Post-War America

Answer 6

• Technological Advancements: domestic uses.
• Baby boom
• Decrease in 18-35 year olds because they had gone off to war, so they had either died or come back physically and psychologically scarred. - Young men without a purpose
• Rise in communism

Question 7

Context: The American Dream

Answer 7

• American-centric idea that America is a place where life is richer, better, and fuller.
• Meritocracy - equality but hard work seperates.
• Based in a capitalist society

Question 8

How is The American Dream portrayed in Death Of A Salesman?

Answer 8

Reflected through Willy’s desire to achieve social recognition and material success, but his sense of optimism has long been frustrated, and technology which promised to make life better and more fulfilling ends up perpetually frustrating Loman. In the end, the promises of future ring honour as Loman’s sense of identity is fulfilled.

Question 9

Context: Communism vs Capitalism

Answer 9

Communism is based on the goal of eliminating socioeconomic class struggles by creating a classless society, which everyone shares the benefits of labour.
Capitalism is a money-based society e.g. America.

Question 10

How is capitalism vs communism presented in Death Of A Salesman?

Answer 10

Willy’s death is a protest to the dehumanizing system of a capitalist society that dwindles individuals into ‘a dime in a dozen’.

Question 11

[blue light]
Act 1

Answer 11

• shows the contrast between Willy and the world
• also represent the sadness and melancholy Willy feels
• also represent a shift in time, from naturalistic to industrialization.

Question 12

[A melody is heard, played upon a flute. It is small and fine, telling of grass and tress and the horizon. The curtain arises. Before us is the Salesman’s house. We are aware of the towering, angular shapes behind it, surrounding it on all sides. On the blue light of the sky falls upon the house and forestage; the surrounding area shows an angry glow of orange.]
Act 1

Answer 12

Miller specifies audio and visual details that present 2 elements of the American Dream: open horizons and home ownership. The house represents the fulfillment of an ordinary American’s dream to have a home and land of ones own. The set design and lighting directions call for a stark contrast between the house and surrounding buildings. Even before the characters speak the audience understand that the Salesmans’ house and their American Dream is under threat.

Question 13

[it might be oh boy, oh boy]
Act 1

Answer 13

Shows uncertainty and a universal expression of exhaustion.

Question 14

[lets his burdens down]
Act 1

Answer 14

Shows 2 elements to Willy: Willy Loman and The Salesman
The stage directions could allude that Willy has already fallen

Question 15

“I’m tired to the death. I couldn’t make it”.
Act 1, Willy

Answer 15

Foreshadows Willy’s impending death
Implies depression - fatal flaw is poor mental health and his inability to seek help as a result of stigma around mens’ mental health.

Question 16

“No, I see everything”
Act 1, Willy

Answer 16

Foreshadowing - Willy is blind to the truth which leads to his tragic downfall

Question 17

“Work a lifetime to pay off a house. You finally own it, and there’s nobody to live in it”.
Act 1, Willy

Answer 17

reflection of failed American Dream

Question 18

“Did Biff say anything after I left this morning?”
Act 1, Willy

Answer 18

Biff represents Willy’s tragic, vulnerable state.
Willy is guilty about his attitude to Biff. He is worried about Biff as he is not fulfilling the hope that he will succeed.

Question 19

“Not finding yourself at the age of thirty-four is a disgrace”
Act 1, Willy

Answer 19

hypocritical as Willy isn’t successful, destroying his family. Another element of the American Dream is family support.

Question 20

“a young man with such - personal attractiveness -…”
Act 1, Willy

Answer 20

Willy believed looks are more important than effort - explains their lack of success in the business world.

Question 21

[He breaks off in amazement and fright as the flute is heard distantly]
Act 1

Answer 21

the flute is a motif for Willy’s fantasies
“fright” Willy is scared of his own delusions

Question 22

[His dreams are stronger and less acceptable than Happy’s]
Act 1

Answer 22

Alludes that Biff is hopeful and optimistic, but his dreams are unachievable.

Question 23

[sexuality is like a visible colour on him, a scent many women have discovered]
Act 1

Answer 23

Atrractive and promiscous
“lost” niave, lacks self-assurance and purpose

Question 24

“I tell ya, Hap, I don’t know what the future is. I don’t know - what I’m supposed to want”
Act 1, Biff

Answer 24

Biff feels confused: he wants a ranch but doesn’t conform to societal expectations. He feels trapped in the American Dream

Question 25

“Sometimes I just want to rip my clothes off in the middle of the store and outbox that goddamn merchandise manager”
Act 1, Happy

Answer 25

presents Darwian ideas and the atrophy of the modern man in a capitalist society.
Masculinity is presented through competition and athleticism.

Question 26

“That’s because he likes you”
Act 1, Willy

Answer 26

Willy believes being liked leads to material property which emphasises his distortion of the American Dream. The dream promotes hard work and honourable standards in business.

Question 27

“Bigger than Uncle Charley! Because Charley is not - liked. He’s liked, but he’s not - well liked.”
Act 1, Willy

Answer 27

Charley is successful when Willy isn’t, but Willys obsession with personal attractiveness means he will never see Charley as a success.

Question 28

“Bigger than Uncle Charley! Because Charley is not - liked. He’s liked, but he’s not - well liked.”
Act 1, Willy

Answer 28

Charley is successful when Willy isn’t, but Willys obsession with personal attractiveness means he will never see Charley as a success.

Question 29

“And thanks for the stockings.”
Act 1, the woman

Answer 29

Stockings are a symbol of sex and proclivity. Purchased by Willy, so he is taking away ownership of the stockings.
Gender differences - luxury consumer products.
These are also a symbol of Willy’s priorities, Linda is mending her stockings and woman has new ones.

Question 30

“I won’t have you mending stockings in this house! Now throw them out!”
Act 1, Willy

Answer 30

Stockings could be a symbol of guilt and also a symbol of Willy’s views on his relationship with Linda - worn out, broken.
This also shows he views the women are interchangeable - hearing both. Shows Willy’s conflict/duplicity.

Question 31

“I got a job, I told you that. What the hell are you offering me a job for?”
Act 1, Willy

Answer 31

Won’t allow help from others, his pride is getting in the way. He won’t allow himself to become Charley because he doesn’t view Charley as a success.

Question 32

‘[Uncle Ben, carrying a valise and an umbrella , enters the forestage from around the right corner of his house. He is a stolid man, in his sixties, with a moustache and and an authoritative air. He is utterly certain of his destiny and there is an aura of far places around him.]’
Act 1

Answer 32

He is Willy’s dream, and a direct contrast of Willy. Willy wants to emulate Ben; he feels inferior compared. Ben is the perfect representation of the American Dream. From Willy’s perspective which allows him to biased about Ben - unreliable narrator.

Question 33

“If I’d gone with him to Alaska that time, everything would’ve been totally different”
Act 1, Willy

Answer 33

Places blame on the one decision. Presents Willy as egotistical - he cannot understand saying no was his own fault.

Question 34

“Why boys, when I was seventeen, I walked into the jungle, and when I was twenty-one, I walked out. And by God I was rich”
Act 1, Ben

Answer 34

The jungle is a metaphor for capitalist society. Animalistic imagery, hungry for money - dog eat dog society.
17-21: he became a man, in order to become a man, you need to embrace capitalism.

Question 35

“Never fight hair with a stranger, boy. You’ll never get out of the jungle that way.”
Act 1, ben

Answer 35

Society is not a meritocracy, use connections to get through the world. As long as you survive, it doesn’t matter who goes down. Climb the ladder of power.

Question 36

“Hap, I took his fountain pen”
“I just - wanted to take something, I don’t know.”
Act 2, Biff

Answer 36

Characterisation, Biff is petty.
Metaphor for academic success - Biff failed.

Question 37

“Where’s my stockings? You promised me stockings, Willy!”
Act 2, The Woman

Answer 37

Highlights love Willy had failed to give. Symbol of betrayal

Question 38

“I’ve got nobody to talk to, Ben, and the woman has suffered, you hear me?”
Act 2, Willy

Answer 38

American Dream, has failed Willy - false hope. He still believes the system will support him - value on death.

Question 39

“I see it like a diamond, shining in the dark, hard and rough, that I can pick up and touch in my hand.”

Answer 39

Did represent:
Wealth
Capitalism
Adventure
Now represents:
Last chance for family by committing suicide

Question 40

“Will you take that phony dream and burn it before something happens?”
Act 2, Biff

Answer 40

Here, Biff is a surrogate for Miller here. Reflects anti-capitalism dream
A warning, plea and a feeling of desperation

Question 41

“The jungle is dark but full of diamonds, Willy.”
Act 2, Ben

Answer 41

Encouraging Willy with his plan and demonises capitalism.

Question 42

“He had a good dream. It’s the only dream you can have - to come out number one man. He fought it out here, and this is why I’m gonna win it for him.”
Requiem, happy

Answer 42

Happy hasn’t grown and he shares Willys values. However, Willy changed throughout the play, Happy hasn’t.
Political point by Miller:
No matter what, there will always be people who buy into the American Dream and are condemned to make the same mistake.