Death of a Salesman [Key Quotations] ???? KEY QUOTATIONS + SUMMARIES – Flashcards

Here we're introduced to, a man who is seemingly uncontented with his job. -Willy Loman returns to the family home in Brooklyn... he shows great signs of wariness + fatigue as instead of working in New York he has to commute to New England... In these drives he has been having increasing hallucinations which he begins to realise. He is also unsuccessful and claims that if his current bosses father [old man Wagner] was alive he would be in charge of New York. Willy clearly has ideals +expectations for Biff...we get the impression that there is a lack of communication between the 2 and that fights occur frequently. However he still has strong hope and faith that Biff will become successful and clings onto this causing him to contradict himself.

-Dysfunctionalities are highlighted such as the possibility of a dangerous accident and a suggestion that Willy might not have returned. -We find out that Willy sells goods in distant parts of America eg. New England in stead of the NY area. -Willy speculates how he could have been a success and blames Howard Wagner, his previous bosses son. -Willy follows Linda's suggestion and decides to stay home and rest. -Biff and Happy, Willy's 2 sons have been out on a date together...Linda remarks how she loves the smell of shaving cream in the house. -Willy however feels depressed by the prospect of the house being empty in the future, and his lack of accomplishment at work.( his own failure and Biff's) -Willy makes a decision to help Biff get a job in selling. -He begins to have a brief reverie, reminiscing about the past however Linda grounds him, making references to reality ie. the cheese -Willy admires insignificant qualities such as how well liked Biff was and how they used to simonise the car but Willy is unable to let go of these past memories of happiness despite Linda's attempt, 'Well, dear, life is a casting off.' -Linda calms Willy down and he agrees to be less severe with Biff.

-Biff and Happy are awoken by their father's rambling -they then discuss their sense of personal failure + their ambitions

-Willy's daydreams wake up Biff and Happy, they overhear Linda and Willy's conversation from the bedroom. -Although Biff has noticed Willy's day dream state manner, he initially dismisses it as mumbling/ nad eyesight but becomes truly horrified and angered when he realises the extent of Willy's reveries. -They proceed to have a conversation about women that is sexist in nature and lacks maturity. -Biff and Happy both seem to be discontented with their life and current jobs -For Happy, pursuing physical pleasure of sexual success has become a form of escapism, Happy acknowledges that his acts are despicable and is concerned with his lack of morality -Biff on the other hand, feels lost, as although he enjoys the freedom of farm work, he also feels as though he has not established himself/made something of himself/ -He thinks of a solution to synthesise commercial success with the outdoors/nature

Happy and Biff go back to bed, the light focuses on Willy... we initially see him in the kitchen in the midst of his reverie which we then enter. *in this daydream, his sons are young

As Willy starts to daydream, we see the past dominate his consciousness and through the staging we are invited to enter Willy's mind and see what he is seeing. *his vision is enacted on stage as if it is actually happening in real time... -It is revealed that Willy believes one of the fundamental keys to success is to be 'liked'... his naivety is highlighted through the juxtaposing reality in the previous scene. -Willy is bombastic and boastful. However this is undermined by the fact that he has not earned enough money to pay the bills. -He begins to question whether he is as popular as he claims { an emotional scene with Linda) --> interjections occur from the voice of the 'woman' [palimpsest] there is layering, it is a dream within a dream

The memory changes, triggered by the laughter of the 'woman'. The 'women' is Willy's lover, who he had an affair with in Boston. For the first time, Willy's deeper vulnerabilities + insecurities are revealed as he talks about the loneliness on the road + and the self doubts that plague him. The 'women' is important as she, feeds Willy's self esteem and validates him as a salesman. The 'women' also does not like him for any substantial qualities, but only because he is a 'kidder.' The scene with Linda and with the women playing together simultaneously highlights Willy's guilt + insincerity. We find out that Willy has gifted the women with stockings. The memory of the affair eventually fades, returning to the kitchen where Linda is mending her old stockings. Willy tells her to throw out the stockings, however Linda puts them away in her pocket.

The scene builds up into a cacophony of Biff's failures. It is clear whether this is a solid memory...many voices join in, fusing together and building up. -Bernard bursts onto stage, informing Willy that Biff will fail maths. -Linda also joins in the criticism, stating that Biff is too rough with the girls + also addressing his stealing. -Willy is assailed with these criticisms that highlight Biff's imperfections, but he still defends his son. -Linda cries as she cannot make an impression on him.

Happy enters the kitchen which stops Willy's reveries...Charley also enters, hearing the racket however there is a sense of routine from Charley and Happy's exchange; [Charley signals to Happy to go] Willy briefly dreams about the life he might have had if he had joined his brother Ben. Charley comes in and they begin to play cards together.

-Willy plays cards with Charley but also conducts a conversation with his dead brother at the same time -The conversation happens internally inside of willy's head... because of this Willy's sudden responses seem vague and unrelated to Charley's frustration. The lack of fluency in conversation leads to conflict. As Charley leaves, the memory extends further into the past, of a time when Ben was perhaps still alive. Here the audience is given small autobiographical details abut Willy and his father. Ben boxes with Biff but throws him down menacingly. He warns Biff never to fight fair with a stranger. Ben is about to leave, but Willy desperate to appeal to him suddenly decides to do some building work on the property. Ben and Willy praise 'manly' behaviour, directly contrasting with Charley. Ben in a way makes Willy more of a mean spirited person. Ben = substitute father figure.

It is the middle of the night and Willy is brought out of his reveries by Linda. Despite it presumably being late, Willy deciding to take a walk highlights his loss of bearing, regarding the context, time and what is appropriate. Biff embodies the shock, pity, disgust and confusion the audience may be emulating. Linda does not allow Biff to criticise Willy, and in the process of trying to deepen their understanding she reveals she's not as ignorant as Willy believes. She is very defensive and dismisses Willy's strange behaviour due to his current lack of success in work. However we as the audience know it's more complicated than that. *Here Linda also suggests that Willy is a tragic figure.* Linda mentions Willy's suicide attempts. Willy joins in the conversation...he compares Biff with Bernard. Willy and his sons imagine how they could all start a sporting business. Willy gives advice on how to approach the meeting +does not let Linda interrupt. Willy loses himself in a memory of Biff's sporting achievement. Willy's final poetic reference = optimism

There is an overall atmosphere of optimism, reinforced by the 'gay and bright' music. Willy imagines the family on a small farm in the country. There are still financial worries but Willy is determined to convince his boss to relocate him. Biff and Happy have arranged to meet their father at 'Frank's Chop house'

Willy stops by to talk to Howard. He makes the mistake of inquiring about the machine, which causes Willy to lose momentum...he can hardly get a word in without being interrupted by the machine. Willy fails to get a non-traveling job despite his emotional plea. We are introduced to Willy's inspiration, Dave Singleman. Willy address an empty chair, beginning a dialogue with Howard's father. Howard then fires him.

In his moment of despair, Willy harks back to Ben, and the time he asked Willy to join him. This highlights his possible feelings of regret, realising that he has not been quite successful as a salesman. The memory of Ben reminds him that he does not have any tangible evidence of success. There is conflict in Willy between pursuing the old American dream of going back to the land and the new American dream. He ultimately chooses to become successful in the city however Ben does not take him seriously. As if to restore his moral, Willy returns to the day considered Biff's highlight of his life and almost uses it as proof that Biff will be succesful. To Willy, Biff being well-liked = instant success.

As Willy's reverie is interrupted by the stage setting of Charley's office, the surrounding 'traffic sounds' highlight Willy's strange behavior taking place in public. We see Bernard who has turned out successful. Miller introduces this character to highlight the possible future Biff could have had. Signs of social success= tennis rackets, two boys, a wife and a job at the Supreme Court. Willy tries to preserve the pretense that his sons are successful but finds it hard and cannot help but display emotional vulnerability. Willy still believes that they is a generic formula for success. As Bernard tells Willy how Biff lost his motivation after a trip to Boston, Willy responds with anger due to possible feelings of guilt. Willy has to ask Charley for more money now that he is unemployed...Willy's hubris is highlighted in his pride, as he refuses to accept Charley's job offer, a solution to this chaos. It is here when Willy contemplates that he is worth more dead than alive.

We are at the restaurant and Happy shallow nature is again revealed in his relentless pursuit of women. Even when Biff appears, Happy seems to have his priorities mixed up as he asks to see the superficial 'old confidence.' Biff finally realises that he was deceiving himself, he steals Bill Olivers fountain Pen and runs out of the building. Happy wants to please their father even if it means being dishonest. Biff attempts to tell Willy the truth however Willy believes that Biff is deliberately trying to hurt him by being unsuccessful. Biff is under huge pressure and we as an audience may sympathise with him... Happy initiates the lies and the momentum which Biff had is now in the hands of Willy and Happy. The single trumpet note which 'jars the ear' highlights the fragmented/jarred nature of Willy and Biff's relationship.

Biff's suggested failure with Bill Oliver propels Willy into a memory of what he believes is to be the cause. This memory however is happening real time at the restaurant, only Willy is unaware of this.

Biff horrified with Willy's public display says what Willy wants to hear in hopes of dispelling his reverie. The memory of Willy and his lover haunts him... perhaps feelings of guilt ?? Willy believes that Biff does not want to enter a deal with Oliver due to spite. Spite which can be linked to his adultery. He then plunges into this very memory of the affair. Past and present are again confused by Willy. Biff wants to help his father and he tries to make Happy also see this by presenting the physical evidence of the pipe. Happy denies that Willy is his father and is more interested in pursuing the girls.

We see the a full recollection of the scene where Biff discovers Willy and the 'Woman'. The woman comments ironically that Willy has 'ruined' her, something also echoed by Happy in earlier acts. The women's laugh is what makes Biff realise that there is someone else in the room. laugh = sign of impending disaster... Biff realising the affair loses his regards of his father. The women here is also indifferent Biff...

Will has been deserted by his sons and appears disturbed and disappointed in his sons. He is consoled by Stanley the waiter. He has a sudden urge to buy seeds to plant in the backyard.

Biff and Happy return home to find Linda furious. Linda is determined to make Happy and Biff leave the house. Happy resorts to fleeing to his room. Biff on the other hand wants a direct confrontation with Willy. Biff discovers Willy in the garden. Linda believes Biff wants to harm Willy.

Willy discusses pros and cons of his suicide with Ben whilst planting the garden. Although Willy believes his death will bring a guaranteed 20,000 dollars, Ben suggests that they might not honour the policy and that Biff may further think of him as a coward. Willy becomes enthusiastic about his death and imagines his funeral will be spectacular.

Ben fades as Biff enters the garden. Biff has come to say goodbye but unlike previous times he in a peaceful manner. He convinces Willy to come inside. Biff sees the reality that nothing will change... he calls himself 'a bum'. Willy still clings into the idea of success and refuses to believe that Bill Oliver's meeting will not take place. Their argument results in physical violence, Biff now exasperated takes out the rubber tube + calls him a 'phony'. Biff believes that everyone must now confront the truth. He reveals that he served a prison sentence, and the revelation he had when he ran away with Bill Olivers pen. Willy states, [with hatred, threateningly]: 'The door of your life is wide open!' This highlights how the American dream has become like a burden to people like Biff who cannot make it. Biff states that he and his father are nothing special... 'I'm a dime a dozen, and so are you!' 'You were never anything but a hardworking drummer...' but Willy is unable to accept this. At an emotionally climactic point, Biff starts crying and asks Willy to 'take that phony dream and burn it'. Willy is overwhelmed as he realises that Biff loves him. However the tragedy is that he does not absorb Biff's message. Ben enters and confirms Willy's suicide plan. Ben implies that 'it does take a great kind of man to crack the jungle.'suggesting that suicide will make Willy a great man. *Ben's music is now played with dread* [In accents of dread, Ben's idyllic music starts up.] Happy returns to his hollow promises and goes to bed. Linda believes that everything now will be alright, but Willy is not listening to her; 'I think this is the only way, Willy.' 'Sure it's the best thing.' 'Best thing !' Linda leaves, Willy revels in the fact that Biff loves him and that success will finally be realised. Willy seems in a confused state of mind... He first mentions -Biff's football game -he then [swings around and faces the audience] -Willy appears lost as he suddenly realises that he is alone -'sounds, faces, voices seem to be swarming in upon him and he flicks at them' -'music faint and high stops him. It rises in intensity, almost to an unbearable scream' -Linda calls for Willy. There is a dramatic pause as 'Linda waits', 'Biff gets up' and 'Happy sits up'. -we hear the sound of a car starting a moving away. -'the music crashes down in a frenzy of sound, which becomes the soft pulsation of a single' cello string.' There is a sad *tableau* as the remaining characters prepare themselves in a sombre fashion. Linda lays down flowers at Willy's grave.

the requiem provides the audience a way to see the reality of Willy's funeral and how it contradicted his expectations. Linda cannot understand why nobody came and why Willy committed suicide. *'I can't understand it.'* Linda seems particularly galled by the fact that they have just finished paying the mortgage in the house... 'And there'll be nobody home.' Charley eloquently expresses the life and job of a salesman and is the most sympathetic: --> known as a *eulogy* 'He's a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine.' Biff on the otherhand states that Willy had all of the 'wrong dreams' and that he never knew who he was. Happy is unable to accept this: 'Willy Loman did not die in vain. He had a good dream.' Biff knows the reality and looks at Happy with a 'hopeless glance.' Linda is left alone to face her feelings of sadness; Linda states that she can't cry, and her repetition of 'We're free' has nuances of meaning. 'the music of the flute is left on the darkening stage as over the house the hard towers of the apartment buildings rise into sharp focus.'

-'He's a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine.' -'The only thing you got in this world is what you can sell. And the funny thing is you're a salesman, and you don't know that.'

'the music of the flute is left on the darkening stage as over the house the hard towers of the apartment buildings rise into sharp focus.'

-'I can't understand it.' -'theres more of him in that front stoop.' -'He had the wrong dreams.' -'Willy Loman did not die in vain. He had a good dream.' -[with a hopeless glance at Happy.]' -'We're free.'

[caged, wanting to escape] ... at seeing the hose -'You're practically full of it! We all are!.' -'I stopped in the middle of that building and I saw the sky.' -'I say I know who I am' -'I'm a dime a dozen, and so are you!'' -'Will you take that phony dream and burn it before something happens.' Contrast this with his earlier attitude... -'people are worse off than Willy Loman.' -'The scum of the earth and you're looking at him!'

-'twenty thousand dollars on the barrelhead. Guaranteed, guilt-edged...' -'hard and rough, that I can pick up and touch in my hand.' -'Ben, that funeral will be massive !.' -'The jungle is dark but full of diamonds Willy.'

Beginning of Act 2 -'I slept like a dead one. First time in months.' -'Gee whiz! That's really somethin'. I'm gonna knock Howard for a loop, kid.' -'Willy, I can feel it changing.' -But it's gone! Imagine! He took it away himself...'

-'It's an encouraging thing to see a young man really- really- Looks very good for Biff...' [He is so full of emotion, he breaks off again] -'His life ended after that Ebbets Field game.' -'Oh, that son of a bitch ruined his life.' -'I knew he'd given up his life.' -[Willy looks at him as at an intruder] -[genuinely shocked, pained, and happy.]... at hearing that Bernard's got a case at the supreme court. -'Knock' em dead, Bernard!' -'I don't want your goddam job!' [He's ready to fight]... highlights his pathetic quality/immaturity -'you end up worth more dead than alive.' -'[on the verge of tears] Charley you're the only friend that I got. Isn't that a remarkable thing?'

Happy's shallowness and lying... -'Don't mention it. it's all company money.' -'Biff is quarterback with the New York Giants.' -''I've got to see that old confidence again.' -'the woods are burning.' 'There's a big blaze going on all around.' -[A single trumpet note jars the ear'] -[wildly]: Math, math, math !' -'I sense it, you don't give a good goddam about him.' -'Hap, help him !... Help me..' -'No, that's not my father. He's just a guy.'

-'How can I insult him that way?' -'He's got a beautiful job here.' -'[frightened of Ben and angry at him]: Don't say those things to him.' -she is able to sense the 'racing of his mind' ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Contrast this with... -'I can't understand it' -from the Requiem -'You're both good boys, just act that way.' -

-'Stop yelling at her!' -'They broke the mould when they made her.' This is similarly echoed by Ben...

-'I'm not a cripple!'

-'There's nothing the matter with him!...'

-'Ben ! That man was a genius, that man was success incarnate!.' -'when I was seventeen I walked into the jungle, and when I was twenty-one I walked out. And by God I was rich!.' -'selling was the greatest career a man could want.' -'he died the death of a salesman, in his green velvet slippers..' -'hundreds of salesmen and buyers were at his funeral.' -'But sometimes, Willy, it's better for a man just to walk away.'

-'He said, 'Morning!' And I said, 'You got a fine city here, Mayor.'

-'He's liked, but he's not well liked.' -'it's not what you say, it's how you say it- because personality always wins the day.' -'a one million dollar idea!' -'This is the greatest day of his life.'... the scene where Charley makes jokes about the football game.

-'Don't leave the hubcaps, boys.' -'Soon as you finish the car, boys, I wanna see ya.' -'Where'd you go this time, Dad? Gee, we were lonesome for you.' Maybe even talk about how this contrasts with Charley and Bernard's relationship...

Miller created a character who is 'reaching for a token of immortality, a sign that he lived.' (Evans 98) - On willy. -'The Loman Brothers, heh?' -'I want them to know the kind of stock they spring from.' -'Biff, his life is in your hands!' -'You and I, Biff- we have a line, the Loman Line.' -'Lay your hand on it. Where is it?'

-'And still, goddammit, I'm lonely.' -'The only trouble is, it gets like bowling or something.'

-'They massacred the neighbourhood.' -'And the sun, sun all around him. Remember when he waved to me?' -'look at the moon moving between the buildings!.' -'They boxed in the whole goddam neighbourhood.'

-'and outbox the goddam merchandise manager.' -'That's why I thank Almighty God you're both built like Adonises.' -'Knocked' em cold.' -'out-standing, manly chaps!' -'Like a young god. Hercules...'

-'The only thing is- what can you make out there?' -'When he walks into the store the waves part in front of him.'

-'Biff is a lazy bum!'... ' -'everybody likes a kidder, nobody lends him money.'

-'Certain men just don't get started till later in life. Like Thomas Edison... B.F Goodrich.' -'No, no some people-some people accomplish something.'

-'Otherwise I woulda broke records.'

-'They seem to laugh at me.' -'I picked you' -'I won't have you mending stockings in this house! Now throw them out!.' -'What's the answer? How did you do it?' -'I still feel- kind of temporary about myself. -'Ben, how should I teach them?''

-'You're my foundation and my support Linda.' ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -'You're disgusting.' -'Ignoramus!' -'Don't interrupt.' -'Don't be a pest, Bernard!... What an anaemic!'

-'the trees are so thick, and the sun is warm.' -'I have such thoughts, I have such strange thoughts' -'The world is an oyster, but you don't crack it open on a mattress!.'

-'These goddam arch supports are killing me.' -'I'm just a little tired.'

Act 1 -'Work a lifetime to pay off a house. You finally own it and there's nobody to live in it.' -'In the greatest country in the world a young man with such...' -'There's more people! That's what's ruining this country.' -'it's a measly manner of existence.' Act 2 -'we got the insurance premium. It's the grace period now.' -'a man is not a piece of fruit!' -'that a man can end with diamonds here on the basis of being liked!.' [on the greatness of America] -'The woods are burning!' -'Screw the business world!' -'I'm always in a race with the Junkyard.' -'When a deposit bottle is broken you don't get your nickel back.' VS. 'I'll put my money on Biff'

Howard can typically be associated with the cold war ideology of proving that capitalism is better than communism. -purchasing the newest and latest gadgets and technologies... the recording machine...'they're only a hundred and a half. You can't do without it.'

-'All I can do now is wait for the merchendise manager to die.' -[the point of his umbrella poised over Biff's eye.] 'Never fight fair with a stranger boy. You'll never get out of the jungle that way.' ---> could forshadow the cold nature of the capitalist world which Willy ultimately sacrifices his life for. -'business is business.' -'I can't take blood from a stone.'

-'Willy, dear, I got a new kind of American-type cheese today.' -'Your mind is overactive, and the mind is what counts, dear.' -'life is a casting off. It's always that way.' -'He's the dearest man in the world to me, and I won't have anyone making him feel unwanted and low and blue.' -'he's a human being, and a terrible thing is happening to him. So attention must be paid.' -'a small man can be just as exhausted as a big man.'

-[leaping away with fright, shouting] 'Shut it off! Shut it off !' -'I'm always in a race with the junkyard.'

-'Coach'll probably congratulate you on your initiative!' -[with great agitation] 'You'll give him the answers!.'

Exposition: -'it is small and fine, telling of grass and trees and the horizon' -'the blue light of the sky' with the surrounding area in an 'angry glow of orange' -'an air of the dream clings to the place'... notice how it clings... could comment on this. -'the entire setting is wholly or, in some places partially transparent.'

-'A star like that, magnificent can never fade away! [The light on Willy is fading.] -'The gas heater begins to glow through the kitchen wall... a blue flame beneath red coils.' -'He is horrified and turns his head toward Willy's room.'

-'She has developed an iron repression of her exceptions to Willy's behaviour.'

Biff: Not a stage description but he says... -'What the hell am I doing, playing around with horses.'... highlights his uncertainty regarding what Biff wants. Happy: -'Sexuality is like a visible color on him.'

-'He is utterly certain of his destiny.'

-'Doesn't he know Mom can hear that ?' -'Pretty sharp tonight.'

-'I'm tired to the death.' -'Never leave a job till you're finished.'

-'He's only a little boat looking for a harbour.' -'a man is not a bird, to come and go with the springtime.'

-'BERNARD, now mature, sits whistling to himself.' -'the jails are full of fearless characters.'

-Willy craves the hard and tangible diamonds...recall how he gave it up for Biff//Willy pawned a watch fob with a diamond in it to pay for Biff's correspondence course.