Death of a Salesman Flashcards
Key term:
What does consumerism mean
a contemporary society’s obsession with spending on new products
Key term:
What does irony mean
saying something in a way which conveys a different/ opposite meaning
Key term:
What does materialism mean
an excessive regard for material possessions
Key term:
What does the American dream mean
Dream of land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone with opportunity for each according to their ability/ achievement
Key term:
What does Requiem mean
A religious ceremony and mass for the dead
Key term:
What does Protagonist mean
the main character in a plot/story
Key term:
What does objectification mean
the action of degrading someone to the status of a object
Key term:
What does tragedy mean
a serious play in which represents the disastrous downfall of the main character
Key term:
What does hubris mean
excessive pride which leads to the downfall of the protagonist
Key term:
What does capitalism mean
an economic and political system in which a country’s trade and industry are controlled by private owners for profit rather than the state
Key term:
What is realism
artistic movement in France 19th century
sought to accurately portray characters, situations and problems
Plays based on realism often link to social problems
Key term:
What is expressionism
reaction to realism and began in the 1900’s
Sought to portray the inner psychological life of a character
Lights used to create atmosphere
Key term:
What is mobile concurrency
The past impending on the present
Key term:
What is a domestic tragedy
Domestic tragedy is a type of drama where the tragic protagonists are ordinary middle-class or lower-class individuals,
Motifs:
How does the motif ‘jungle/ woods’ link to the play (use quotes)
woods/ jungle - symbol for life (shown through the colour green) and taking risks in life (shown through how jungle is associated with the word unknown
Ben isn’t afraid of taking risks e.g. ‘Walked into the jungle - took control of his life - determined his destiny (Act 1)
Willy is more fearful of taking risks e.g. when he loses his job ‘the woods of burning’ - everything that he knew of has gone - his security is lost - he is afraid of the unknown (Act 2)
Ben tell tells Willy that ‘the jungle is dark’ but he must walk into it - telling him to take control by committing suicide - by him committing suicide he can control the way the boys think of him (as a hero - from Willy’s perspective). (Act 2)
Motifs:
How does the motif ‘diamonds’ link to the play (use quotes)
Diamond - a symbol for success - materialism
Ben finds diamonds in the jungle and gives Willy a diamond watch ‘ didn’t he give me a watch fob with a diamond in it’ - Willy (Act 1)
Willy pawns watch for Biff’s course - trying to pass ‘success’ to Biff ‘You pawned it dear (…) for Biff’s radio correspondence course’ - Linda (Act 1)
Tries to do this again by committing suicide and leaving money to Biff - He’ll worship me for it’ - Willy referring to the life insurance Biff will receive if he commits suicide ($20,000)
Willy has a vision of success Biff can achieve with the insurance money - Can you imagine the magnificence of with twenty thousand dollars in his pocket (…) he’ll be ahead of Bernard again) - Willy (Act 2)
Motifs:
How does the motif ‘the garden’ link to the play (use quotes)
Garden - symbol of Willy’s desire to create a good life for his family - full of vegetables - vegetables of nutritious and good
Willy is trying to ‘grow’ something for his family e.g. he wants to be successful and support them
At the end, one of his last acts in life is a futile attempt to plant seeds ‘He holds a flashlight to look at the seed packets’ - Stage directions (Act 1) - it is night time nothing is going to grow.
Willy never achieves success in life and he also never plants his garden ‘Willy Loman never made a lot of money. His name was never in the paper’ - Linda (Act 1)
Motifs:
How does the motif ‘stockings’ link to the play (use quotes)
Stockings - represent Willy’s affair with the Woman and a symbol of material wealth
Linda is seen to be mending stockings while the Woman is given new ones. ‘Just mending my stockings they’re so expensive (…) I won’t have you mending stockings in this house’ Willy and Linda talking about stockings (Act 1)
When Biff finds out about the affair. He is particularly hurt by the fact that Willy has given stockings to the woman he is having an affair with. Shows how Willy is prioritising the women over his family. Trying to be something he is not. ‘You - you gave her Mama’s stockings!’ Biff (Act 2)
Motifs:
How does the motif ‘falling/ down’ link to the play (use quotes)
fall, falling, down - appear again and again and emphasise the fall of Willy and his family
Willy is described as beaten down and he lies back exhausted (Act 1)
When Biff steals Oliver’s pen he runs down 11 flights of stairs (Act 2) ‘ I ran down all eleven flights. I ran and ran and ran’ Biff
When Willy dies, Linda lays flowers at his grave ‘ Linda lays down the the flowers, kneels and sits back on her heels’ Stage directions (Act 2)
Motifs:
How does the motif ‘stealing’ link to the play (use quotes)
Stealing represents the way that their true identities have been stolen by lying and the pursuit of the American dream
Stealing is a symptom of weakness in character, of wanting to have something that you didn’t earn, be something that you’re not.
Both Happy and Biff steal
Happy steals people’s fiancés ‘I don’t want the girl an still I take it and I love it’ Happy (Act 1)
Biff steals footballs, a fountain pen ‘I took his fountain pen’ (Act 2)
WILLY (laughing with him at the theft): I want you to return that Willy (Act 1)
Motifs:
How does the motif ‘brand names’ link to the play (use quotes)
Brand names heightens the realism in the play
Stats symbols - represents the material success that Willy strives and how it is ultimately empty
He is duped by advertising into thinking that owning things equates to success
Proud of chevvy ‘greatest car ever built’ when it goes wrong ‘they ought to prohibit the manufacturer of the car’ Willy (Act 1)
‘I’m gonna take out my camera my bandsaw and all my hobbies and out they go. This is the most fascinating relaxation I ever found (Howard) (…) I’m definitely going to get one (Willy) - Howard and Willy talking about newest machine Howard has - Materialism (Act 2)
Themes:
How does the theme ‘reality and illusion’ link to the play (use quotes)
The gap between reality and illusion is blurred - structure - Willy’s mind
Willy constantly exaggerates his success and so does Happy - learned behaviour
Biff realises how blurring reality has harmed them - aims to make family see the truth about who they are
Quotes:
I averaged 170 dollars in the year 1928- Willy (Act 2) - dwells on the past
I realised what a ridiculous lie my whole life has been - Biff (Act 2) - anagnorisis
We never told the truth for 10 minutes in the house - Biff - (Act 2)
I sell champagne (…) its all company money - Happy (Act 2) - trying to be someone who he isn’t
Themes:
How does the theme ‘the American Dream’ link to the play (use quotes)
The success that the dream aspires is based on money and power - Willy has none of these
Biff realises that being true to yourself is more important than being successful
Willy’s addiction to the dream means that he buys status symbols on credit that he cant afford
Quotes:
You cant eat the orange and throw away the peel - a man is not a piece of fruit - Willy (Act 2) - irony that exactly what happens with oranges - Shows how he lacks power in a capitalist society
No with a ranch I could do the work I like and still be something - Biff (Act 1)
First time in thirty five years we were just about free and clear (Linda) Requiem
Themes:
How does the theme ‘family and relationships’ link to the play (use quotes)
Biff and Happy ate shaped by Willy’s actions
Happy copies Willy’s actions and strives for material success
Biff is destroyed by Willy’s affair
Biff is attempting to break this cycle of destruction and tell everyone and tell everyone the truth
Quotes:
Oh dad, good work I’m sure he would change it for you (…) he wouldn’t listen to you - Biff (Act 2)
A kitchen table with three chairs and a refrigerator - stage directions
‘He had a good dream (…) this is where I’m gonna win it for him’ - Happy (Requiem)
Themes:
How does the theme ‘ Nature and Physical pursuits’ link to the play (use quotes)
The Loman Brothers selling sporting good and Willy should’ve gone to Alaska
The true nature of these men would be physical pursuits in the rural setting Willy’s dependency on the dream means that they cannot follow their true calling
Quotes:
Outbox, outrun and outlift anybody in that store - Happy (Act 1)
Was a happy man with a batch of cement - Charley - referring to Willy (Requiem)
Men built like we are should be workin out in the open - Biff - (Act 1)
Themes:
How does the theme ‘masculinity and heroism’ link to the play (use quotes)
Willy fulfils masculine role e.g. sole provider, however is not respected in the community
Women are objectified - the way that Happy talks about the girls in Frank’s Chop House
Mental health isn’t seen
Quotes:
Pull yourself together kid, there’s people outside - Howard (Act 2)
You didn’t crack again did you - Howard (Act 2)
Never fight fair with a stranger boy - Ben - (Act 1)
Look at that mouth. Oh God. And the binoculars - referring to her breasts - Happy (Act 2)
Context:
What is the American Dream
American Dream - through hard work courage and determination prosperity can be achieved
20th century -industry and capitalism with men coming from humble backgrounds becoming rich led to many people believing in it
1920s-1930s - Great Depression seemed to reverse the Dream. People weren’t successful. Those who were poor got poorer and the rich richer
Modern day audience - think of the American Dream as misleading - success doesnt come from hard work and determination alone
Context:
What is the theatrical context of Death of a Salesman
Realism -artistic movement in France 19th century.
. Sought to accurately portray characters, situations and problems
. Plays based on realism often link to social problems
Expressionism - reaction to realism and began in the 1900’s . Sought to portray the inner psychological life of a character . Lights used to create atmosphere
Mobile concurrency - The past impending on the present
Domestic tragedy - type of drama where the tragic protagonists are ordinary middle-class or lower-class individuals
Context:
What is the context of tragedy in Death of a Salesman
Death of a Salesman is a domestic tragedy - type of drama where the tragic protagonists are ordinary middle-class or lower-class individuals
Context:
What are the features of a domestic tragedy
Characters are ordinary people
The world is full of deceit
Emphasis on psychological aspects
Family life is central but diseased
Structure of the play:
How does the ‘past and present’ link to the structure of the play
All characters especially Willy is affected by the past - pat is a mixture of events ad conversations
Action is in the present - actors stay in the wall on the stage
Action is in the past - actors step through the wall onto the front stage and act at the front of the stage
Lighting changes to allow the house to look as if it is covered by leaves - hidden - hiding secrets.
a flute plays suggest happier times in the past
Structure of the play:
How does the ‘flashbacks/ dreams’ link to the structure of the play
Flashbacks can be seen through expressionism and realism
Plays shows the internal and psychological breakdown that Willy goes through
This style means that the audience can share the experience with Willy - even though his reality is distorted the audience’s is not
Structure of the play:
How does the language link to the structure of the play
The use of language is entirely realistic
Follows speech of New Yorkers
e.g. Biff is a ‘lazy bum’ ‘you’re a pal’
Characters:
Quotes for Willy
Nothing planted, I don’t have a thing in the ground - Willy (Act 2)
I don’t want change, I want Swiss cheese - Willy (Act 1)
You cant grow a carrot in the backyard - Willy ( Act 1)
A man can’t go out the way he came in (…) a man has to add up to something - Willy (Act 2)
Characters:
Quotes for Linda
She more than loves him, she admires him - Linda (Act 1)
A small man can be just as exhausted as a great man - Linda (Act 1)
We’re free and clear (…) we’re free (…) we’re free - Linda - (Act 2)
You’re a pair of animals! (…) not another living soul would have had the cruelty to walk out on that man - Linda (Act 2)
Characters:
Quotes for Biff
I realised what a ridiculous lie my whole life had been - Biff - (Act 2)
Will you take that phony dream and burn it before something happens - Biff (Act 2)
I’m like a boy. I’m not married , I’m not in business - Biff (Act 2) - he measures his success according to American Dream
Characters:
Quotes for Happy
Outbox, outrun, outlift anybody in that store - Happy - (Act 1)
I sell champagne (…) don’t mention it, its all company money - Happy (Act 2)
He had a good dream (…) this is where I’m gonna win it for him - Happy - (Requiem)
Characters:
Quotes for Benard
Don’t be a pest Benard (…) what an anaemic - Willy - (ct 1)
He doesnt have to, he gonna do it - referring to Benard going to the Supreme Court as a lawyer - Charley (Act 2)
When the mail comes he’ll be ahead of Benard again - Willy - (Act 2) - Willy has always compared Biff and Benard. He wants Biff to be successful like Benard is
Bernard can get the best marks in school, y’understand, but when he gets out in the business world, you are going to be five times ahead of him - Willy (Act 1)
Characters:
Quotes for Charley
A salesman has got to dream boy, it comes with the territory - Charley (Requiem)
The only thing you’ve got in this world is what you can sell - Charley (Act 2)
You been jealous of me all your life, you damned fool! Here, pay your insurance! He puts the money in Willy’s hand - Charley (Act 2) - Charley can see how the American Dream can destroy people.
Characters:
Quotes for Uncle Ben
The jungle is dark but full of diamonds - Ben (Act 2)
Never fight fair with a stranger boy - Ben - (Act 1)
He is utterly certain of his destiny and there is an aura of far places about him - stage directions (Act 1)
Characters:
Quotes for Howard
Pull yourself together, there’s people outside - Howard (Act 2)
You didn’t crack up again did you (…) you had me worried for a minute - Howard (Act 2)
Cause you gotta admit business is business - Howard (Act 2)
Characters:
Quotes for the Woman
The Woman burst out laughing and Linda’s laughter blends in - The Woman (Act 2)
You promised me stockings - The Woman (Act 2)
You are the saddest, self centredest soul I ever did seesaw - The Woman (Act 2)
Key Scene:
How is the opening scene of Willy’s first daydream significant
Shows capitalism as the villain , diseased family and the role of woman
The flute is used to show a false sense of hope
Stage directions:
Optimism of the American Dream juxtaposes reality
Family life - ‘Willy exhausted’ - isolated - deteriorating state - Linda is his support
Consumerism and Capitalism
The common man - Willy is blind to reality
A melody is heard - played upon a flute
Key Scene:
How id from Ben’s first departure through to the closing scene daydream significant
Shows Willy’s mental deterioration
Linda’s speech ‘You’re just a boy’ - referring to Biff - hes acting childish shows how Willy has failed as a father
‘a small man can be just exhausted as a great man’
Biff - illusion of the American Dream ad how great he is ‘hot air’
Biff finding pipe - symbol of Willy’s desperation
Key Scene:
How is after the Woman’s laughter through to Ben’s first appearance in Willy’s day dream significant
In this scene, it is Linda and Willy talking often with the woman’s laughter throughout their speech
Willy remembers the woman he had an affair with
Key quotes:
(The Woman burst out laughing and Linda blends in) - mobile concurrency and secondary characters are made complicit - reality
(glancing at his watch) - referring to Ben - shows how Ben has places he wants to be and this reflects capitalism
I wont have you mending stockings in this house - constant reminder of Willy’s infidelity
Key Scene:
How is Willy’s first daydream to the first appearance of the Woman significant
Shows Willy’s blindness - unable to see his son’s for who they are
Willy idolises Biff - fails to see their flawed
I borrowed it from the locker room - toxic masculinity and entitlement
He’s liked but not well liked - leading his sons down the wrong path - prioritises popularity over skill and intelligence
Material possessions they need - refrigerator, fan, washing machine, vacuum cleaner - reality of the American Dream - Willy puts his family into debt by buying material goods on credit
Key Scene:
How is Act 2 opening scene through to the scene in Howard’s significant
Begins positive - Willy’s is less harsh towards Biff
This quickly changes this foreshadows Willy’s downfall
Howard is a symbol of cutthroat capitalism and modern society
Dave Singleman - hamartia ( tragic flaw) - Willy puts his faith in the wrong ideals
Key Scene:
How is Willy’s daydream involving Ben through to Willy’s conversation with Charley in his office significant
Ben can be seen as the antagonist - Makes Willy aware of his futility
Willy says to Charley - ‘I don’t want your goddamn job ‘ - toxic masculinity and hubris
Willy asks asks Charley for money - shows Willy’s desperation.
Anger develops as the play as it goes on
Key Scene:
How is Frank’s Chop House scene significant
Represents the damage that Willy has caused both Biff and Happy
Happy - egotistical, sexist and misogynistic
lies, hot air - fragile
Biff’s anagnorisis - lets him realise that the American Dream is damaging
I realised what a ridiculous lie my whole life had been - Biff (Act 2)
I sell champagne (…) don’t mention it, its all company money - Happy (Act 2)
Key Scene:
How is Boston Hotel room daydream through to Willy’s departure from Frank’s Chop House significant
Willy’s dream falling apart
Mobile concurrency
Willy’s anger with Biff - shows how Willy fails to see reality
Biff - finds the truth about Willy - turning point of their relationship - it is completely damaged
as the play goes on his daydream happens in public - he is completely lost
Key Scene:
How is the boy’s confrontation with Linda to Biff’s final confrontation with Willy and Willy’s decision to take his life significant
Willy’s garden seeds - inevitability - its dark nothing grows
refusal to accept reality - ‘the funeral will be massive’
Biff - confronts Willy ‘Take that phony dream and burn it
Ben -constant - toxic influence
Linda and Biff’s final attempt to save Willy
‘The car speeds off, music crashes down
Key Scene:
How is the requiem significant
Linda sees past delusion - struggles with reality
Contrast with Biff and Happy ‘ He has the wrong dreams’ -Biff
‘He had a good dream’ - Happy
Financial freedom - ‘We’re free’
Truth about Willy - false hope Willy’s death represents the failure of the American Dream
