SETTING the STAGE (Page 1-2 in Italics)

Death of a Salesman

SETTING THE STAGE (page 1-2 in italics)

1.  Describe Willy's house.

2.  Why is the setting nearly transparent?

3.  Describe Willy as he first appears.

4.  What do the introductory remarks reveal about Linda?

5.  What hints of possible tension or problems are given in the opening remarks?

6.  Describe the devices or techniques in this section which are surrealistic or expressionistic.

ACT 1

1.  Why is Linda worried when Willy returns unexpectedly from a sales trip?

2.  What is Willy's explanation for his return home?

3.  Analyze Linda's response.

4.  Why isn't Willy working in New York?

5.  What is the tension that exists between Willy and Biff?

6.  Why did Willy expect Biff to amount to so much more?

7.  What gives Willy the feeling that he is being boxed in?

8.  What evidence is there that Willy is living in the past?

9.  How are Biff and Happy different?

10.  How does Happy interpret his father's problem?

11.  What are some of the jobs which Biff has held?

12.  Why doesn't Biff like being at home?

13.  Is Happy enjoying his way of life?

14.  How does Happy respond when Biff suggests that they go West together?

15.  What else emerges about Happy's character?

16.  Who is Bill Oliver and what does Biff hope to get from him?

17.  Why does Happy want Biff to have a talk with Willy?

18.  What were some of the things Willy tried to teach Biff when Biff was a boy?

19.  In the scenes from the boys' childhood, how does Willy's treatment of Biff differ from his treatment of Happy?

20.  How does Willy respond when he discovers that Biff has stolen a football?

21.  Why doesn't Willy encourage Biff to study for his math test?

22.  Why is so much emphasis given to Willy's income and status?

23.  What are Willy's and Linda's reactions to the realization that Willy is not getting ahead?

24.  What does the introduction of The Woman at this point accomplish?

25.  Contrast Biff and Bernard. What further insight into Biff's character does Bernard provide?

26.  What do you suppose Willy means when he says “the woods are burning”?

27.  Why does Willy reject Charley's offer of a job?

28.  Why is Willy so proud of his ceiling?

29.  Why is Willy so proud of his brother Ben?

30.  What do we learn about Willy's father?

31.  In his discussion with Ben, what does Willy reveal about his hopes for his sons?

32.  What does Willy's pawning of this diamond watch fob indicate?

33.  Why is Linda so upset with Biff?

34.  What does Linda mean when she tells Biff that Willy is dying?

35.  What is Biff's attitude toward the business world?

36.  What idea does Happy have that pleases Willy?

37.  Explain Willy's allusion to Hercules.