Key Ideas in Death of a Salesman (pages 17-44)
Ø Page 17
o Elm Trees
§ Image of nature
§ Memory of Biff
§ Cut down by modern living
o Seeds/Plants “don’t grow”
§ This would suggest that Willy can’t produce anything in this environment
o Notice how Willy seems to feel suffocated by society (orange lights)
Ø 18
o Willy will put his “money on Biff”
§ ALWAYS pay attention to lines that reference money or wealth
§ Willy is repeatedly contradicting himself in this scene
· Confusion
· Mercurial nature
· Reluctance to give up his dream (success for his son)
Ø 19
o Car
§ “simonized” – polished
§ The car, like the boys, has an impressive appearance or exterior that belies a rough, deceiving interior.
o Pay close attention to Miller’s description of the boys’ appearance
§ Appearance is indicative of character (in this scene)
Ø 20
o Boys in their old room
§ Arrested development
· Discuss old glories and sexual conquests
o Behave like teenagers
Ø 21
o Happy sent Willy to Florida
§ Doesn’t want to witness his father’s deterioration.
o Biff seems to know something about Willy (foreshadowing)
Ø 22
o Biff’s story
§ Rural vs. Urban life
· Sets up a sort of Cowboy vs. Businessman mentality
· Biff describes love of nature and physical work
Ø 23
o Biff’s line – “I’m like a boy”
§ Biff seems to think that the things he is passionate about are unimportant or childish.
§ Implication – to be an adult is to make money
o Happy
§ Dissatisfied with business world
· Yet he refusal to do anything else.
Ø 24
o Happy
§ Physical>Mental
§ Concerned with wealth
§ NEEDS recognition/respect
§ Women
· Views them as a sport
· Seems to detest the women who sleep with him
o Madonna vs. Whore Complex
§ In Happy’s eyes, all women are respectable women (like his mother) or just sexual objects.
Ø 27
o Stage Directions
§ “Music insinuates itself as the leaves appear”
· Pleasant memories associated with nature.
· Urban to Rural
Ø 29
o Gift – Punching bag
§ Violent and athletic
o “I’m losing wait, Pop!”
§ Happy is vying, competing for his father’s attention
§ Living in Biff’s shadow
Ø 30
o Biff’s theft
§ Willy excuses Biff’s bad behavior
· Willy thinks Biff’s popularity will forgive the deed.
o Charlie
§ “Liked, but not well liked”
· Charley is successful
o Willy doesn’t understand what it takes to be successful.
Ø 31
o Boys – Carrying Willy’s bags
§ Sons are part of Willy’s dream (appearance)
Ø 32
o Bernard (Charley’s son)
§ Happy tries to box Bernard
§ The Intellect vs. The Athlete
· Described as “anemic”
Ø 33
o Willy’s code to success
§ “Be liked”
§ Physical appearance is more important than intelligence or output
Ø 37
o Woman’s laughter
§ Triggers memory w/in memory
Ø 38
o Willy on the road
§ Tries to rationalize his infidelity (“I get so lonely”)
o Willy likes this woman because she picked him. She not only gives him a sense of self-worth, but also furthers his “well-liked” philosophy.
Ø 39
o Stockings
§ Symbol of infidelity
§ His guilt won’t allow him to rationalize this immoral act
Ø 40
o Fantasies/Memories break down
§ Willy’s guilt will not allow him to indulge in this idyllic past.
o “Nothing is the matter with him”
o “Why is he stealing?”
o “I never in my life told him anything but decent things”
Ø 41
o Ben – “success incarnate”
o “WOODS ARE BUNING!”
§ Extremely important line
o Charley and Willy
§ Charley – realist
§ Willy – idealist
· Willy discusses the importance of physical labor
o Let’s reader know that Willy’s true talent, passion is working with his hands