Death of a Salesman 1

Who else is at the house and what's Biff having them do?

A bunch of friends - and basically Biff is having them do his chores. He gets them to sweep the furnace home and hang laundry. BIFF, Fellas! Everybody sweep out the furnace room! I'll be right down! FIFF: George and Sam and Frank, come out back! We're hangin' up the wash! Come on, Hap, on the double! LINDA: The way they obey him!

What is the first thing we hear, and what does it symbolize?

A flute playing a melody. It conveys something about non-city life, about nature, about being free. Perh. not being ruled by money.

What does Biff then show his dad?

A football

What does Charley offer Willy?

A job. CHARLEY: You want a job?

What revealing anecdote does Happy share with Biff?

About a superior who has it all - and is completely unsettled, who has no inner peace. HAPPY All I can do now is wait for the merchandise manager to die. And suppose I get to be merchandise manager? He's a good friend of mine, and he just built a terrific estate on Long Island. And he lived there about two months and sold it, and now he's building another one. He can't enjoy it once it's finished. And I know that's just what I would do. I don't know what the hell I'm workin' for. > Key admission: doesn't know what the hell he's working for. So he is capable of some honest, of some self-reflection - but not acting on it.

Why has he come home?

Because he's plagued with the thought that he's not getting anywhere, that his life is about nothing. So he panics, rushes home - then doesn't know what to do next. BIFF And whenever spring comes to where am, I suddenly get the feeling, my God, I'm not gettin' anywhere! What the hell am I doing, play- ing around with horses, twenty-eight dollars a week! I'm thirty-four years old, I oughta be makin' my future. That's when I come running home. And now, I get here, and I don't know what to do with myself.

Why exactly does Biff want a ranch?

Because it would mean continuing to work on a farm, but do so in a more impressive way. It would help him feel he'd made it. BIFF: No, with a ranch I could do the work I like and still be something.

Who's big Betsy?

Happy's first. BIFF: Remember that big Betsy something—what the hell was her name—over on Bushwick Avenue? HAPPY: Yeah, that was my first time—I think. Boy, there was a pig!

About his behavior more generally?

He screws over his colleagues - and he also takes bribes. HAPPY I don't know what gets into me, maybe I just have an overdeveloped sense of competition or something, but I went and ruined her, and furthermore I can't get rid of her. And he's the third executive I've done that to. HAPPY Like I'm not supposed to take bribes. Manufacturers offer me a hun- dred-dollar bill now and then to throw an order their way.

Apart from cheating on tests, what else do we learn about Biff's behavior at this point?

He steals often - "everything" according to his mom. He is physical with the girls. He drives without a license. LINDA: And he'd better give back that football, Willy, it's not nice. LINDA: He's too rough with the girls, Willy. All the mothers are afraid of him! BERNARD: He's driving the car without a license!

What's he worried about?

He stole a carton of basketballs from him - and wonders if he knows and remembers. BIFF I just wonder though. I wonder if Oliver still thinks I stole that carton of basketballs.

Where'd he get it from?

He stole it from his team. BIFF: Well, I borroi/ed it from the locker room. He laughs confidentially.

What important, revealing anecdote does Happy share?

He talks about a superior (a merchandise manager) who makes a lot of money and yet appears completely unfulfilled, completely restless. "He's a good friend of mine, and he just built a terrific estate on Long Island. And he lived there about two months and sold it, and now he's building another one. He can't enjoy it once it's finished."

What does Willy recall?

How Biff used to be so popular in high school - esp. with the girls. WILLY Remember how they used to follow him around in high school? When he smiled at one of them their faces lit up. When he walked down the Street

What's Willy's boss's name?

Howard Wagner. Willy worked first for his father.

Where did Willy go on his most recent trip and who did he claim to meet?

Providence, RI. Says he met the mayor. WILLY: He said, "Morning!" And I said, "You got a fine city here, Mayor." And then he had coffee with me.

What does Happy promise to do for his dad?

Retire him. HAPPY: Pop, I told you I'm gonna retire you for life.

What does young Biff promise to do for his dad?

Score a touchdown. BIFF, taking Willy's hand: This Saturday, Pop, this Satur- day—just for you, I'm going to break through for a touch- down.

What excuses does Linda make for Willy?

She blames it on the steering. On his glasses. A lack of rest.

How does the relationship benefit Willy?

She helps him reach her company's purchasers so that he can sell stuff to their company. THE WOMAN: I'll put you right through to the buyers. Compare how Biff takes bribes. Their means are invariably dishonest. Willy doesn't sell much - and what he does sell he does through an affair.

Why's that significant?

She's blaming external factors - because she's in denial. Later, Biff will rightly exclaim, "Stop making excuses for him!"

What does Happy reveal about the girl he was with that night?

She's engaged.

What is Linda then doing that angers Willy?

She's mending her stockings. While his mistress has new ones - and many pairs.

What do Biff and Happy think Willy might have done again (like Linda)?

Smashed the car. HAPPY, to Big: Jesus, maybe he smashed up the car again! > So they all know it's happened a number of times. HAPPY He's going to get his license taken away if he keeps that up. I'm getting nervous about him, y'know, Biff?

What does Biff want the two of them to do?

Start a ranch. BIFF: Sure, maybe we could buy a ranch. Raise cattle, use our muscles. Men built like we are should be working out in the open.

What does Linda think he should do?

That Willy should request a position at the New York office - in order to not have to stay on the road. LINDA Willy, dear. Talk to them again. There's no reason why you can't work in New York. LINDA Why don't you go down to the place tomorrow and tell Howard you've simply got to work in New York?

What does Willy hope for Biff?

That he can make more money.

What else do we learn about Ben?

That he has recently died. That he was barely ever in touch. That he visited them once and then never again - didn't even write. WILLY: Didn't Linda tell you? Couple of weeks ago we got a letter from his wife in Africa. He died. CHARLEY: You never heard from him again, heh? Since that time?

What do we learn about Uncle Charley?

That he owns his own business. WILLY: Someday I'll have my own business, and I'll never have to leave home any more. HAPPY: Like Uncle Charley, heh?

What does Biff reveal he did?

That he stole a carton of basketballs. BIFF I just wonder though. I wonder if Oliver still thinks I stole that carton of basketballs.

What does Happy notice about Biff?

That he's changed - that he's lost his confidence HAPPY What happened, Biff? Where's the old humor, the old confidence?

What does Happy admit?

That he's conflicted - that he hates himself, knows he's a schmuck. And that he has "an overdeveloped sense of competition." BIFF I hate myself for it. Because I don't want the girl, and, still, I take it and—I love it!

What does Linda immediately suspect?

That he's gotten into an accident. We learn later that he's had a number of recent accidents. LINDA: You didn't smash the car, did you? - p. 58. LINDA: Remember I wrote you that he smashed up the car again? In February? BIFF: Well? LINDA: The insurance inspector came. He said that they have evidence. That all these accidents in the last year- weren't—weren't—accidents. > He has smashed up the car multiple times. It hasn't been a number of close-calls. He has had multiple accidents. He's trying to kill himself. Linda says this explicitly later: LINDA: He's been trying to kill himself. LINDA: Remember I wrote you that he smashed up the car again? In February?

What else does Willy claim about his contacts and renown in New England?

That he's known and respected everywhere. WILLY: And they know me, boys, they know me up and down New England. The finest people. And when I bring you fellas up, there'll be open sesame for all of us, 'cause one thing, boys: I have friends. I can park my car in any street in New England, and the cops protect it like their own.

What else does Willy admit?

That he's overweight. WILLY: I'm fat. I'm very—foolish to look at, Linda. I didn't tell you, but Christmas time I happened to be calling on F. H. Stewarts, and a salesman I know, as I was going in to see the buyer I heard him say something about— walrus. And I— I cracked him right across the face.

What does Happy admit?

That this is his destiny too. "And I know that's just what I would do. I don't know what the hell I'm workin' for." IOW that there is no possible happiness or fulfillment to be found on the path he's on.

What flashback is now developed?

Willy washing the car with B and H. Don't leave the hubcaps, boys. Get the chamois to the hubcaps. Happy, use newspaper on the windows, it's the easiest thing. Show him how to do it, Biff!

How old is he?

60.

How many children did Ben have?

7

What's Willy's commission?

70. LINDA: Well, it makes seventy dollars and some pennies. That's very good.

What car does he drive?

A Studebaker. But he's confused and thinks it was a Chevy - the car he used to drive

What has Biff done to his sneakers?

BERNARD, wiping his glasses: Just because he printed Uni- versity of 'Virginia on his sneakers doesn't mean they've got to graduate him, Uncle Willy!

Willy's response to all this?

Denial. Anger. WILLY, exploding at her: There's nothing the matter with him! You want him to be a worm like Bernard? He's got spirit, personality...

How much do they owe?

120. WILLY: A hundred and twenty dollars! My God, if busi- ness don't pick up I don't know what I'm gonna do! IOW They're not even close to being able to pay their bills - which explains why they're having to borrow from Charley.

How much does Willy claim to have sold on his most recent trip?

1200. WILLY: I did five hundred gross in Providence and seven hundred gross in Boston.

When and where was A Miller born?

1915. New York. Died: February 10, 2005, Roxbury, Connecticut, United States

When was the play published?

1949.

How much did he actually sell?

200. ie. Not enough to pay their bills. WILLY: Well... it came to—roughly two hundred gross on the whole trip.

How many hours has Willy been working?

10-12. WILLY: But I gotta be at it ten, twelve hours a day. Other men—I don't know—they do it easier.

What other recollection does Willy now have?

An interaction with his mistress, in which she says she chose him and thanks him for the gift of stockings.

What surrounds Willy's house?

Apartment buildings. "We are aware of towering, angular shapes behind it, surrounding it on all sides... As more light appears, we see a solid vault of apartment houses around the small, fragile-seeming home."

How does the narrator describe Biff?

As a bit lost, and lacking self-confidence. And as having dreams - strong but unacceptable dreams, which seems to suggest that he dreams of farming but knows his dad doesn't approve of it. "Biff is two years older than his brother Happy, well built, but in these days bears a worn air and seems less self-assured. He has succeeded less, and his dreams are stronger and less acceptable than Happy's."

What's the "one idea" Biff wants to try?

Asking Bill Oliver for a loan to begin a ranch. BIFF: I think I'll go to see him. If I could get ten thousand or even seven or eight thousand dollars I could buy a beautiful ranch.

Who then enters and saying what about Biff?

Bernard - saying Biff is supposed to be studying with him today. BERNARD: Biff, where are ybu? You're supposed to study with me today. WILLY: Hey, looka Bernard. What're you lookin' so anemic about, Bernard? BERNARD: He's gotta study, Uncle Willy. He's got Regents next week.

Who then re-enters with the same warning as before?

Bernard, saying Biff he's got to study for Regents - ie. for his state exam.

Willy's response?

Coach'll probably congratulate you on your initiative!

How old are Biff and Happy?

Biff's 34, Happy 32. "Biff is two years older than his brother."

Who is Biff going to go see and why?

Bill Oliver - about funding his ranch.

Where had he set off to?

Boston. WILLY: I got as far as a little above Yonkers. He's off to Boston. We learn this later when Howard asks: HOWARD: Say, aren't you supposed to be in Boston?

What neighbor then arrives?

Charley.

What does Willy regret not having done?

Followed Ben to Alaska where he made a fortune mining diamonds. WILLY Why didn't I go to Alaska with my brother Ben that time! Ben! That man was a genius, that man was success incarnate! What a mistake! He begged me to go. WILLY You guys! There was a man started with the clothes on his back and ended up with diamond mines!

What does Willy surprise them with?

HAPPY, offstage: It's a punching bag!

Who then comes downstairs?

Happy

What skill does Willy now happen to mention / indirectly reveal?

His skill as a carpenter - i.e. working with his hands. WILLY: Did you see the ceiling I put up in the living-room? CHARLEY: Yeah, that's a piece of work. To put up a ceiling is a mystery to me. How do you do it?

How does Willy contradict himself?

He calls Biff lazy - then says he's not. WILLY And such a hard worker. There's one thing about Biff—he's not lazy. He talks about what a big seller he is - and then how he hardly sells anything. WILLY I'm the New England man. I'm vital in New England. WILLY When I went north the first time, the Wagner Company didn't know where New England was! WILLY: Oh, I'll knock 'em dead next week. I'll go to Hart- ford. I'm very well Mod in Hartford. You know, the trouble is, Linda, people don't seem to take to me. LINDA: Oh, don't be foolish. WILLY: I know it when I walk in. They seem to laugh at me. He calls the Chevy the best car ever - and then says they should be forbidden from making them. WILLY: Chevrolet, Linda, is the greatest car ever built. WILLY: I'm not going to pay that man! That goddam Chevrolet, they ought to prohibit the manufacture of that car! Willy describes how he opened up the car - then denies it. WILLY It's so beautiful up there, Linda, the trees are so thick, and the sun is warm. I opened the windshield and just let the warm air bathe over me. WILLY: No, the windshields don't open on the new cars. LINDA: But you opened it today. WILLY: Me? I didn't.

What did Willy say to Biff when Biff came back home recently?

He criticized him for not making enough and for not having found himself. LINDA: You shouldn't have criticized him, Willy, especially after he just got off the train. You mustn't lose your temper with him.

What does Willy say about Bernard?

He disparages him repeatedly. WILLY: Don't be a pest, Bernard! To his boys: What an anemic! WILLY: Bernard is not well liked, is he? Later: WILLY You want him to be a worm like Bernard?

What holds Happy back from pursuing this with his brother?

He first wants recognition. He wants to beat everyone else. HAPPY: I gotta show some of those pompous, self-important executives over there that Hap Loman can make the grade. I want to walk into the store the way he walks in. Then Ill go with you, Biff.

Why won't Happy go with Biff?

He first wants to show his colleagues he's better than they are. HAPPY: I gotta show some of those pompous, self-important executives over there that Hap Loman can make the grade. I want to walk into the store the way he walks in. Then Ill go with you, Biff.

Why has he returned?

He got distracted and couldn't drive. He ended up driving back at 10mph.

What more do we learn about Charley?

He is in fact respected. WILLY One thing about Charley. He's a man of few words, and, they respect him.

What does he say about his work as a farmhand?

He loves it. He says there's nothing more beautiful than witnessing the birth of a baby horse. HAPPY: Well, you really enjoy it on a farm? Are you con- tent out there? BIFF This farm I work on, it's spring there now, see? And they've got about fifteen new colts. There's nothing more inspiring or—beautiful than the sight of a mare and a new colt. > Biff is indeed "content" working on the farm.

What does Willy predict for the three boys' future?

He predicts Biff and Happy will succeed - and Bernard won't. Why? Because they're handsome. WILLY: Bernard can get the best marks in school, y'understand, but when he gets out in the business world, y'understand, you are going , to be five times ahead of him. That's why I thank Almighty God you're both built like Adonises. Because the man who makes an appearance in the business world, the man who creates personal interest, is the man who gets ahead.

Happy calls himself "honest" but what does he reveal about his behavior?

He reveals that he takes bribes and that he's trying to destroy his colleagues' lives, sleeping with their women and even their fiancés. BIFF That girl Charlotte I was with tonight is en- gaged to be married in five weeks... I went and ruined her, and furthermore I can't get rid of her. And he's the third executive I've done that to... And to top it all, I go to their weddings! BIFF Like I'm not supposed to take bribes. Manufacturers offer me a hundred-dollar bill now and then to throw an order their way.

What does Biff tell Happy about his life, including why he's come up?

He tells him he's lost. He doesn't use that word, but that's what he's saying - he's admitting what's said about him in the SD. He talks about all the jobs he's had. He talks about how much he loves working on the farm - but also how he is wracked with guilt, wracked with the sense that he's not truly accomplishing anything, not "making his future." BIFF: Well, I spent six or seven years after high school try- ing to work myself up. Shipping clerk, salesman, business of one kind or another. And it's a measly manner of existence. HAPPY: Well, you really enjoy it on a farm? Are you con- tent out there? BIFF... This farm I work on, it's spring there now, see? And they've got about fifteen new colts. There's nothing more inspiring or—beautiful than the sight of a mare and a new colt. BIFF And whenever spring comes to where am, I suddenly get the feeling, my God, I'm not gettin' anywhere! What the hell am I doing, play- ing around with horses, twenty-eight dollars a week! I'm thirty-four years old, I oughta be makin' my future. That's when I come running home. And now, I get here, and I don't know what to do with myself.

What does Willy say happened?

He was driving and observing the scenery and got distracted, losing himself in a reverie. This connects up with the flute and its significance. It seems to have to do with what might have been, what ought to have been... WILLY I was driving along, you understand? And I was fine. I was even observing the scenery. You can imagine, me looking at scenery, on the road every week of my life. But it's so beautiful up there, Linda, the trees are so thick, and the sun is warm. I opened the windshield and just let the warm air bathe over me. And then all of a sud- den I'm goin' off the road! I'm tellin' ya, I absolutely forgot I was driving. If Id've gone the other way over the white line I might've killed somebody. So I went on again—and five minutes later I'm dreamin' again, and I nearly—. I have such thoughts, I have such strange thoughts.

What's Ben like acc. to the narrator?

He's "utterly certain of his destiny." He enters with a suitcase and umbrella. He's "stolid," ie. emotionless. "Uncle Ben enters the forestage from around the right corner of the house. He is a stolid man, in his sixties, with a mustache and an authoritative air. He is utterly certain of his destiny, and there is an aura of far places about him."

What's Biff's job?

He's a farmhand. WILLY: How can he find himself on a farm? Is that a life? A farmhand?

How has Biff changed? What has he lost?

He's lost his confidence - which seems very commendable, since Happy's confidence is mere arrogance. Biff is turning his face toward defeat. He's realizing he's not so great after all - and will voice this later. He's also sleeping around less or not at all anymore. HAPPY I think I got less bashful and you got more so. What happened, Biff? Where's the old humor, the old confidence?

What's Willy doing in the meantime?

He's lost in the pastime, mumbling about washing the car with Biff. WILLY, below: You gonna wash the engine, Biff? WILLY: Don't get your sweater dirty, Biff! WILLY: What a simonizing job!

What does Willy admit about his popularity and reputation?

He's not liked - in fact he's laughed at. That he talks too much. And that he makes unfunny jokes. WILLY: You know, the trouble is, Linda, people don't seem to take to me... I know it when I walk in. They seem to laugh at me. WILLY Well, I figure, what the hell, life is short, a couple of jokes. To himself: I joke too much!

Happy?

He's tall and powerful and virile. He seems happier - but actually he's worse off than Biff. We don't hear about this, since in Willy's eyes Happy is better off than his older brother. The reality's the reverse. He too is "lost." Even more lost than Biff, since he can't and doesn't criticize himself but tells himself lies, believing he's better and greater and more self-actualized than he actually is. "Happy is tall, powerfully made. Sexuality is like a visible color on him, or a scent that many women have discovered. He, like his brother, is lost, but in a different way, for he has never allowed himself to turn his face toward defeat and is thus more confused and hard-skinned, although seemingly more content." > He's "confused" and "hard-skinned." > He's never allowed himself to "turn his face toward defeat." Which means he's never learned from his mistakes. He's incapable of considering anything he does a failure. It's a key indictment, and ofc. the same is true of Willy.

What does Willy hope/expect Bernard to do?

Help Biff cheat! WILLY, moving to the forestage, with great agitation: You'll give him the answers! BERNARD: I do, but I can't on a Regents!

What's the first thing noticeable about Willy?

His exhaustion. "Even as he crosses the stage to the doorway of the house, his exhaustion is apparent." "A word-sigh es- capes his lips—it might be "Oh, boy, oh, boy." He closes the door, then carries his cases out into the living-room, through the draped kitchen doorway."

What does Biff ask Happy?

If he's content?

What's he like?

Large. A man of few words. He pities Willy. And fears for him. We learn that he's been lending him money. Charley almost certainly knows everything about Willy's situation. He can apparently hear everything from next door, which means he knows about Willy's mumblings/ravings... "Charley has appeared in the doorway. He is a large man, slow of speech, laconic, immovable. In all he says, despite what he says, there is pity, and, now, trepidation."

What's the setting? (city and year)

Late 1940s Brooklyn BEN, chuckling: So this is Brooklyn, eh? (p. 45)

Who among others did he marry?

Marilyn Monroe (m. 1956-1961)

What does Willy project onto Biff?

Moodiness and irritableness. WILLY, worried and angered: There's such an undercurrent in him. He became a moody man. > N. how he's explicitly moody acc. to the SDs - ie. worried and angered. More importantly - not having found himself. Willy supposes that he's found himself, that he's made it, when the central drama is that he hasn't, that his is a tale of an unlived life. We'll learn later that Willy is very skilled with his hands and ought to have been a carpenter. He's been doing something he's completely unsuited for. LINDAY: He's finding himself, Willy. WILLY: Not finding yourself at the age of thirty-four is a disgrace! > The irony is that Willy hasn't found himself at 60.

Is Happy content?

No. He actually says "hell no."

Is Happy content?

No. He's lonely and miserable - and knows he'd still be so if he was making $52000/year like his superior. HAPPY: Hell, no! HAPPY Sometimes I sit in my apartment—all alone. And I think of the rent I'm paying. And it's crazy. But then, it's what I always wanted. My own apartment, a car, and plenty of women. And still, goddammit, I'm lonely.

What significant sound do we hear now?

The laugh of Willy's mistress. From the darkness is heard the laughter of a woman. Willy doesn't turn to it, but it continues through Linda's lines. Music is heard as behind a scrim, to the left of the house, The Woman, dimly seen, is dressing.

What is Willy starting to think more and more about?

The past, when he was close to his kids, when Biff was a popular football star. WILLY More and more I think of those days, Linda. WILLY Remember those two beautiful elm trees out there? When I and Biff hung the swing between them? WILLY I was thinking of the Chewy. Nine- teen twenty-eight ... when I had that red Chevvy— That funny? I coulda sworn I was driving that Chewy today. WILLY: Remarkable. Ts. Remember those days? The way Bill used to simonize that car?

What lengthy memory does Willy now have?

The time his brother Ben visited the family. Note that, in the present, he's continuing to visit with Charley. He actually mistakes Charley for Ben. CHARLEY Did you call me Ben? WILLY: That's funny. For a second there you reminded me of my brother Ben.

Biff and Happy talk for pp 19-26. What do they talk about?

They talk about their dreams, about getting girls, about whether they're happy, about what they want to do with their lives. Biff asks Happy if he's content - and Happy admits he's not. That he's got much of what he wanted, but feels lonely and unfulfilled. Happy mentions a superior who, having all the money in the world, builds a great estate - and then doesn't care to live in it, since he's agitated and without inner peace. And Happy admits he'd do the very same. Which means that the entire path he's on is futile. That even if he got where he's trying to go, he'd feel no sense of accomplishment, no real satisfaction. Biff shares his dream - to start his own ranch. And hopes Happy would go with him. Happy says he wants to - but first wants to show up his colleagues. Biff also shares his plan - to go to his former employee, Bill Oliver, in order to ask for a loan to start his ranch. But we also hear that he quit because he stole a carton of basketballs. Happy too reveals moral failings - including taking bribes and destroying colleagues' lives by sleeping with their brides/fiances.

What does Happy reveal about how he and Biff have lived?

They've had big dreams - and achieved nothing. BIFF: Yeah. Lotta dreams and plans. And they've slept with lots of women. HAPPY, with a deep and masculine laugh: About five hun- dred women would like to know what was said in this room.

What's his occupation?

Traveling salesman, which means he's constantly on the road. LINDA: But you're sixty years old. They can't expect you to keep traveling every week. We learn later that he's been reduced to working on commission - and this for the last five weeks. LINDA For five weeks he's been on straight commission, like a beginner, an unknown! (57)

How is the garden theme introduced at this point?

WILLY The grass don't grow any more, you can't raise a carrot in the back yard. They should've had a law against apartment houses. > Therefore, Willy's gardening is part of an effort to return a simpler time. WILLY More and more I think of those days, Linda. This time of year it was lilac and wisteria. And then the peonies would come out, and the daffodils. What fragrance in this room!

What has Biff done since high school?

Worked very jobs he couldn't stand. BIFF: Well, I spent six or seven years after high school try- ing to work myself up. Shipping clerk, salesman, business of one kind or another. And it's a measly manner of exist- ence. To get on that subway on the hot mornings in sum- mer. To devote your whole life to keeping stock, or making phone calls, or selling or buying. To suffer fifty weeks of the year for the sake of a two-week vacation.