Death of a Salesman

In the screenplay, Death of a Salesman (1949), by playwright, Arthur Miller, the protagonist, Willy Loman is a salesman- the items of which he sells remain unknown and irrelevant- constantly dreaming of attaining success, unbeknownst to him that at his age success has eluded him, living his “last day on earth” and attempts to reevaluate his life in order to find where he fails at life. Willy seems to be suffering mental deterioration since the flashbacks he experiences are seen as him talking to himself by other characters, The play progresses with the help Willy’s flashbacks, many of which reveal to the audience Willy’s disillusionment with the world around him and his hopes of achieving the American dream through himself or his sons, particularly Biff. Many items from the play serve to symbolize Willy’s desire for tangible success such as the refrigerator, the Chevy, and Linda’s, his wife, stockings, that would apparently prove his financial stability and achievement. Willy and his son Biff are indirectly compared with Charley, a neighbor and friend, and his son Bernard, both of which have achieved success and are content with their lives. Miller’s purpose of the play is to point out the flaws in pursuing the American dream, and valuing the worldly aspects of life over the moral and sentimental pieces. The audience Miller seeks includes those thoroughly absorbed in the materialistic values created by the society in which they live and those hopelessly chasing after dreams, unaware of the adverse effects that accompany the endless chase.

Vocabulary

Apron: the projecting edge of a platform such as a theater stage, dock, or loading bay

Incipient: beginning to appear or develop

Mercurial: lively, witty, fast-talking, and likely to do the unexpected

Pennant: a flag that has a shape similar to a ship's pennant

Roguish: unscrupulous or dishonest in the manner of a rogue

Valise: a small piece of luggage

Tone

Contemplative, satiric, morbid

Rhetorical Strategies

• Flashbacks; “Willy: Oh, Ben, how did you do it? What is the answer? Did you wind up the Alaska deal already?
  Ben: Doesn't take much time if you know what you're doing. Just a short business trip. Boarding ship in an hour. Wanted to say good-by.
  Willy: Ben, I've got to talk to you.
  Ben: Haven't the time, William.”
• Apostrophe; “[…WILLY, talking, shuts the refrigerator and comes downstage o the kitchen table. He pours milk into a glass. He is totally immersed in himself, smiling faintly.]”
• Symbolism; “WILLY [angrily, taking them from her]: I won’t have you mending stockings in this house. Now throw them out!”
• Allusion; “WILLY: Like a young God. Hercules- something like that.”
• Telegraphic sentences; WILLY: I gotta overcome it. I know I gotta overcome it. I’m not dressing to advantage, maybe.”

Discussion Questions

1. Are Arthur’s flashbacks factual, or are Willy’s memories massively influenced by his feelings and hopes of the moment? Explain.
2. Why does Willy choose to reject Charly’s job offer, knowing he has no job to go back to?
3. Why does Miller choose to let Willy die without realizing why he never reaches success?

Memorable Quote

“Charley: Willy, when’re you gonna realize that them things don’t mean anything? You named him Howards, but you can’t sell that. The only thing you got in this world is what you can sell. And the funny thing is that you’re a salesman, and you don’t know that.

Willy: I’ve always tried to think otherwise, I guess. I always felt that if a man was impressive, and well liked, that nothing-”

Final Thoughts

Whenever I read a novel, I suffer a mental breakdown and/or go through a temper tantrum if someone ruins the ending for me. However, the play, taught me that the ending is not always as important as following and understanding character development, especially since the ending of the work was given not only in the title but with the introduction. It’s understandable to want success or chase after a dream, but sometimes a person just has to put that dream to rest and go for the realistic opportunity. I personally would like to see the play because it seems it would be difficult to create and act on the stage described in the screenplay due to constant flashbacks and no fadeout when switching from scene to scene.