Death of a Salesman Act one
How much time passes in the first act? How much time are we given information about?
A day or two has passed in the first act, but we are given information from the time Willy Loman was three years old to the present, when Mr. Loman is in his sixties.
Why doesn't Happy go west with Biff?
Happy wants to stay where he is and take his managers job
What reason does Willy give that he can't work in New York?
He says the company sends him where they send him and that he doesn't know anyone.
What advice does Willy give Biff on the evening before he goes to see Bill Oliver? How does Willy contradict himself again?
He tells Biff to wear new clothes, not talk too much, ask for a set amount of money and not budge on it. He tells Biff that he should talk and tells him that he isn't smart or capable, then tells him how amazing he is.
Linda tells the boys that Willy won't be all right. When the boys ask why he won't, what is her reply?
She tells the boys about Willy attempting to kill himself with the gas heater and the car accidents he had that weren't actually accidents, but attempts made by Willy to kill himself.
What does Willy want young Bernard to do for Biff?
Willy wants young Bernard to help Biff pass his math regent's exam by cheating. Willy wants Bernard to supply the answers to the regents, just like Bernard has done for all the other tests the boys have had.
Who is charley?
willys friend who he plays cards with and lends him money
What happened to willy after he got a little above yonkers?
He says he almost hit a child and got into a car accident.
Why does Willy talk so much about the car?
its symbolic, The chevy is an american car and willy is a big believer in the american dream, also he worked on it a lot with his kids
What seems to be the problem between Biff and Willy?
Biff and Willy are at odds with each other. Biff resents his father for some unknown reason and Willy expected Biff to grow up differently than he actually did.
Where did Biff get the football? What does Willy say about that?
Biff is a kleptomaniac. He stole the football and willy condones his actions. Willy never addresses Biffs actions and doesn't punish him
Why did Biff stop working for Bill Oliver?
Biff says Bill said he stole company property.
What does Biff want from Bill Oliver?
Biff wants to get a job from Bill Oliver for the sake of his father.
Happy says, "I don't know what to do about him [Willy], it's getting embarrassing." To what is he referring, and what does the fact that Happy thinks this way tell you about his character?
Happy can see his father deteriorating, but instead of doing anything about it, he says nothing until it is brought up in conversation. He doesn't try to help him and what that tells me about his character is that he all he cares about is himself.
Charley and Willy are playing cards. Why does Charley leave?
He leaves because he is annoyed with Willy. Willy sees Charley, but is simultaneously having a conversation with his memory of his brother Ben, Charley and playing a game of cards.
What did Willy's father do for a living?
He plays the flute
Charley says, "To hell with it. When a deposit bottle is broken, you don't get your nickel back." What does he mean?
If you invested in something that is wrong, when it goes from bad to worse, you will not get your investment back.
What is Linda's reaction to willy's complaints about himself?
Linda is Willy's number one fan and vehemently opposes his complaints about himself. She believes in him and will not let anyone, including Willy put him down.
What does Willy mean, "I'll make it up to you, Linda, I'll--"? What does Linda think he means?
Linda is mending her stockings and Willy recalls when he bought his mistress stockings and now his wife is mending her own, when he was so willing to buy things for his mistress. He means he'll make up cheating on his wife and not honoring his vows.
What does Willy admit to Linda about his business? What is her reaction?
Willy tells Linda he was demoted and business is failing. He is not able to provide for his family and that hurts him. But she still encourages him.
Who is The Woman?
The woman is the person willy is having an affair with (his mistress)
Identify Biff and Happy
Willy and Linda's two sons.
In the first scene with Linda, Willy contradicted himself twice. About what did he contradict himself?
Willy says he was the best salesmen and then takes it back. He says Biff is horrible and takes it back.
What does Willy tell Happy about Ben when Happy asks how Ben "did it"?
Willy tells Happy about his brother thinking he was going to Alaska, but instead ending up in Africa and coming out of the jungle rich. Willy idolizes his brother, Ben, when in fact, Ben was an idiot who got lucky.
Who is willy Loman?
a salesman that likes hard workers
Who is Ben?
Willys brother
Identify linda
Willys wife
