Death of a Salesman Flashcards
an air of the dream clings to the place, a dream rising out of reality
Death of a Salesman
analysis : even from Miller’s stage directions it’s clear that dreams v illusions rule this society
I’m not bringing home any prizes any more, and you’re going to stop waiting for me to bring them home (Biff)
Death of a Salesman
analysis : Biff shatters the illusion for his father
I’m tired to the death
Death of a Salesman
analysis : indicates Willy’s fleeting mental state, he’s losing it
I might’ve killed somebody
Death of a Salesman
analysis : not only indicates Willy’s deranged mind, but also foreshadows his suicide
I have such thoughts, such strange thoughts
Death of a Salesman
analysis : not only indicates Willy’s deranged mind, but also acentuates his delusions overtaking
Old man wagner … that man was a prince, he was a masterful man
Death of a Salesman
analysis : indicates the power of idolisation and how the American Dream promised him all of this
Work a lifetime to pay off a house, you finally own it and there’s nobody to live in it
Death of a Salesman
analysis : indicates the power of the American Dream , and the crushing realities
Biff is a lazy bum … Biff - he’s not lazy
Death of a Salesman
analysis : the juxtapostion of these ideas establish how mentally unstable Willy is, he is lost and confused
(Linda) with infinite patience
Death of a Salesman
analysis : Linda’s unwavering loyalty and calm nature assures her goodness and faith
the way they boxed us in here, bricks and windows, windows and bricks
Death of a Salesman
analysis : highlights effects of the american dream, ideas of suffocation, entrapment
(Happy) sexuality is like a visible color on him, or a scent that many women have discovers
Death of a Salesman
analysis : highlights that sexuality is weaponised by Happy, he uses it to his advantage
(Biff) maybe he’s color-blind
(Happy) he’s got the finest eye for color in the buisness
Death of a Salesman
analysis : highlights that still, the boys admire him so much, they idolise him
(Biff) to suffer fifty weeks of the year for the sake of a two-week vacation … it’s a measly manner of existence
Death of a Salesman
analysis : indicates the toxicity of the american dream
(Biff) all I’ve done is to waste my life
Death of a Salesman
analysis : indicates the toxicity of the american dream
(Happy) my own appartment, a car, and plenty of women and still goddammit, I’m lonely
Death of a Salesman
analysis : indicates the toxicity of the american dream, that even with everything society says you should desire, loneliness still lingers
(Happy) I get that anytime I want
Death of a Salesman
analysis : mysoginstic view of women but also proves Happy’s longing search for power and respect, of which his father deprived him
(Willy) they’ll be plenty of girls for a boy like you
Death of a Salesman
analysis : such high hopes are fuelled by the american dream, feeding this toxic illusion
(Happy) I’m losing weight, you notice pop?
Death of a Salesman
analysis : highlights the toxic masculine stereotypes set
(Willy) someday I’ll have my own buisness and I’ll never have to leave home anymore
Death of a Salesman
analysis : highlights the delusion of Willy and how this is transfered to his boys
(Willy) I can park my car in any street in New England and the cops protect it like their own
Death of a Salesman
analysis : highlights the delusion of Willy and how this is transfered to his boys
(Willy) to bernard - you looking so anemic
Death of a Salesman
analysis : highlights the toxic masculine stereotypes the boys must live up to
(Willy) Ben! That man was a genius , that man was success incarnate … a man started with the clothes on his back and ended up with diamond mines
Death of a Salesman
analysis : highlights the idolisation of Ben
(Linda) the man is exhausted
Death of a Salesman
analysis : highlights the reality of the american dream he is broken
(Linda) i live from day to day
Death of a Salesman
analysis : highlights how broken Linda is , willy’s condition effects her too
