Death of a Salesman Analysis

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What does Biff contemplate doing if he gets a significant amount of money?

Travel across the country

Start a small business

Buy a beautiful ranch (correct)

Invest in stocks

What does Happy suggest about Oliver's opinion of Biff?

Oliver has not thought about Biff since his dismissal

Oliver still resents Biff for his past mistakes

Oliver thinks highly of Biff (correct)

Oliver wants nothing to do with Biff

How does Biff feel about the incident with the stolen basketballs?

He believes it was a misunderstanding

He is indifferent about it now

He feels proud for having stolen them

He thinks Oliver still remembers and questions his character (correct)

What does Willy seem to be unaware of during his conversations?

That his actions can be heard by others Signup and view all the answers

What emotion does Biff express while reflecting on Willy's comments?

Anger Signup and view all the answers

What advice does Willy give Biff regarding women?

Make promises only if you're sure Signup and view all the answers

What is Happy’s concern regarding Willy's behavior?

That Willy’s actions are embarrassing for the family Signup and view all the answers

What does Biff wish to avoid while interacting with Willy?

Bringing up past mistakes Signup and view all the answers

What does Biff express about their upbringing in relation to making money?

They lack knowledge on how to pursue money. Signup and view all the answers

What does Happy desire to prove to others at his store?

His competence to succeed professionally. Signup and view all the answers

How does Happy feel about his relationships with women?

He uses them solely for competition and lacks depth. Signup and view all the answers

What characteristics does Biff seek in a potential partner?

Stability and substance. Signup and view all the answers

How does Happy's attitude towards his actions with women reflect on his character?

He is remorseful and self-loathing. Signup and view all the answers

What does Happy mean when he refers to exhibiting an overdeveloped sense of competition?

He competes for affection from women without meaning it. Signup and view all the answers

What does Happy reveal about the engagements of women he has been with?

They are all with wealthy executives. Signup and view all the answers

What is Biff's intention regarding work for Bill Oliver?

He is considering pursuing an entirely different path. Signup and view all the answers

What item does Happy bring on stage?

A punching bag Signup and view all the answers

What does Biff do with the football he got?

Borrows it from the locker room. Signup and view all the answers

What future aspiration does Willy share with his sons?

To run his own business. Signup and view all the answers

How does Willy feel about the Mayor of Providence?

Pleased to have met him. Signup and view all the answers

What does Willy emphasize about being well-liked?

Being well-liked is more important than being respected. Signup and view all the answers

Which city does Willy mention while recounting his trip?

Boston Signup and view all the answers

What does Happy do while lying down?

Peddles with his feet. Signup and view all the answers

How does Biff respond when Willy asks about his initiative with the ball?

He is proud of it. Signup and view all the answers

What advice does Ben give to Biff regarding fighting with strangers?

Never fight fair with a stranger. Signup and view all the answers

How does Linda react when Ben takes her hand?

She withdraws her hand coldly. Signup and view all the answers

What do Biff and Happy plan to do under Willy's instruction?

Rebuild the entire front stoop. Signup and view all the answers

What is Willy's attitude toward the fearless characters he mentions?

He admires them completely. Signup and view all the answers

What does Charley warn Willy about regarding Biff and Happy's activities?

They will attract police attention. Signup and view all the answers

What does Happy claim about his current state to Willy?

He has lost weight. Signup and view all the answers

How does Willy feel about the lumber that Biff and Happy brought home?

He is proud of their efforts. Signup and view all the answers

What is the underlying risk mentioned by Charley about Biff and Happy's actions?

They could face legal consequences. Signup and view all the answers

What does Biff express about his feelings toward business?

He feels he does not fit into the business world. Signup and view all the answers

How does Happy view Biff's inability to please people in business?

He believes it has hindered Biff's success. Signup and view all the answers

What activity does Biff mention as something he prefers over business?

Mixing cement. Signup and view all the answers

What does Willy claim about Bernard in the context of business behavior?

He refuses to whistle in the elevator. Signup and view all the answers

What is Willy's reaction to Biff's comments about the business world?

He becomes defensive about his own experiences. Signup and view all the answers

In the conversation, what does Biff imply about laughter in relation to their father?

They have faced ridicule due to their family. Signup and view all the answers

What does Happy mean by 'cover yourself' in the context of business?

To ensure one's actions are justified. Signup and view all the answers

What does Biff believe about carpentry compared to business?

Carpenters can express themselves freely. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Happy and Biff's Relationship

Happy and Biff are brothers who are struggling to find success in life.
Happy is a womanizer and is more concerned with appearances and material possessions.
Biff is more introspective and wants a stable life with a focus on meaningful work.

Willy's Dreams and Perceptions

Willy is Willy, Biff and Happy's father, and is struggling with his own sense of failure.
He believes that success is achieved through hard work and being well-liked, but he does not understand the realities of the world.
Willy is obsessed with achieving status and living a luxurious life, which leads to his disappointment when he realizes his own limitations.
Willy projects his own insecurities and failings onto his sons. He tries to instill in them the importance of being liked and successful, even at the expense of their true passions and talents.
Willy is constantly seeking approval and validation from others.

Biff's Resentment and Conflict

Biff is deeply conflicted with his father’s beliefs and his own desires to find a fulfilling life.
Biff is haunted by a past incident where he likely stole a carton of basketballs and believes that his former employer, Bill Oliver, may still think he is a thief, hindering his chances of potential future success.
Biff is resentful of his father’s constant need for reassurance and approval.
Biff’s desire to find a fulfilling career beyond the pressures and expectations set by his father, fuels his resentment against Willy's inability to accept Biff's choices and aspirations.

Character Traits

Happy is a charming and self-assured person, but he lacks depth and struggles with self-control.
Biff is a sensitive and introspective individual, and he is struggling with his own sense of identity and worth.
Willy is a charismatic but flawed individual struggling with self-doubt and a sense of failure.
Willy is characterized by his emotional and desperate attempts to achieve a false image of success.

Themes

The play explores themes of family dynamics, dreams vs. reality, and the pressure to succeed.
The characters navigate their relationships, their aspirations, and the complex realities of life in a society driven by material success.
The play emphasizes the complexities of human relationships and the challenges of finding meaning and fulfillment.

The Importance of Being Liked

The play highlights the damaging influence of a skewed perspective that prioritizes being liked above all else.
Willy's fixation on being well-liked instead of genuine accomplishment creates a distorted view of success, causing him to focus on superficial relationships and external validation.

The American Dream

The play comments on the American Dream, exploring its often elusive and unattainable nature.
The characters struggle to achieve their aspirations, facing the harsh realities of a world where personal values and authenticity are sometimes disregarded.
The play illustrates the consequences of chasing an idealized version of success, often at the expense of one's true happiness.

Symbolic Representations

The leaves that cover the house symbolize the passage of time, the decay of Willy's dreams, and the fading of his memories.
The punching bag represents the physical and emotional turmoil that the characters experience. It is a reminder of their internal struggles to cope with their disappointments and frustrations.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Explore the complex relationships in Arthur Miller's 'Death of a Salesman', focusing on the dynamics between Willy, Happy, and Biff. The quiz delves into their struggles with success, self-identity, and family expectations. Gain insights into the themes of materialism and personal fulfillment as portrayed in the play.