Response to the play “Death of a Salesman”

Response to the play “Death of a Salesman”

What are the protagonist’s most distinctive traits, and what is most distinctive about his values? What motivates the character? Which lines or stage directions reveal most about the character? (1180)

1. Twisted love towards his (Willy Loman’s) sons. He teaches them dishonesty and cheating and how to be successful without working hard. His philosophy is “be liked and you will never want” (1721).  

2. The bright future with a lot of money is what motivates Willy Loman. Also, it’s his love of the family that motivates him as his wife, Linda, told their sons: “The man (Willy Loman) who never worked a day but for your (the two sons’) benefit” (1733), However, his massive dream that is unrealistic leads him on the wrong track.

3. After working 34 years for the Wagner’s company, the boss, Howard Wagner who is 36 years old, fired Willy Loman. The boss said to him, “This is no time for false pride” (1746). Indeed, it’s his false pride why he refused a job offered from his only friend, Charley.  He would rather borrow money from Charley every week than take the job. He replied, “I can’t work for you, that’s all, don’t ask me why” (1754). It could have been a different ending if he had taken the job.

What is the inciting incident? How and why does this incident destabilize the initial situation? (1182)

1. The older son, Biff, found out his father, Willy Loman was having an affair.

2. Willy Loman had an affair because he felt lonely on the road. This proved that first, he has so much hot air bragging about his successes which were not true. That’s why he felt lonely. Secondly, he made a bad choice when he decided to cheat on his wife. This incident destabilized the harmony between him and his son, Biff. It destroyed Biff’s admiration and trust in his father. Furthermore, it destroyed Biff’s whole life.

Does all the action occur in one time and place? (1184)

No. the present, the past, and the illusion of a conversation with his dead brother, Ben, appear at the same time very often. This kind of arrangement seems confusing at first, but once we figure it out, it helps us understand the causes and effects of the story.

Are any details- such as actions or statements- repeated throughout the play? Why might these repeated details have special significance? (1186)

1. Willy Loman’s two sons, Biff and Happy admire him. But we see Willy Loman values his older son, Biff, only. I feel sorry for the younger son, Happy, for he was constantly trying to get his father’s attention but in vain. For example, Happy said, “I’m losing weight, you notice, Pop?” three times on page 1719, 1721, and 1730, but Willy Loman answered him back only once by replying “jumping rope is good too” (1719). Another example we see is Willy Loman always puts Biff first because he would like to give their “almost” mortgage free house to Biff, but not Happy. He said: “if only Biff would take this house, and raise a family…”(1741)

2. The significance of these repeated details is that the younger son, Happy, has developed the same attitude as his father,Willy Loman, bluffing about his job and dreaming about the impossible wealthy future. Money is the root of all evil if you don’t have the knowledge and emotional maturity to handle it. Worst part of all is how you are chasing money. Biff has finally realized at the end that the American dream for making a fortune should include working hard and facing the truth. Unfortunately, Happy does not change. We can expect another Willy Loman.  

• Does the last name Loman imply Willy’s family is in the low social status?
• Does Biff mean bully or simply beef? Does Willy wish the two sons bring beef (money) and happy (happyness) to the family?