Characters Involved:
Death of a Salesman
Act II Study Guide
1. At the onset of Act II Willy and Linda appear to be optimistic, perhaps unrealistic in their optimism. Find 3 specific quotation that exhibit this false hope:
a.
b.
c.
2. State the significance of the following passage:
WILLY: Whoever heard of a Hastings refrigerator? Once in my life I would like to own something outright before it’s broken! I’m always in a race with the junkyard! I just finished paying for the car and it’s on its last legs. The refrigerator consumes belts like a goddam maniac. They time those things. They time them so whet you finally paid for them, they’re used up.
3. Explain how the following passage contributes to the major character development of Willy Loman.
WILLY: Well, that’s a great thing. To weather a twenty-five year mortgage is—
LINDA: It’s an accomplishment.
4. Give 2 reasons why Willy has to ask for an advance.
5. In what ways is Howard belittling and condescending toward Willy? Use three specific quotations in your response.
a.
b.
c.
6. CLOSE ANALYSIS
WILLY: Oh, yeah, my father lived many years in Alaska. He was an adventurous man. We’ve got quite a little streak of self-reliance in our family. I thought I’d go out with my older brother and try to locate him, and maybe settle in the North with the old man. And I was almost decided to go, when I met a salesman in the Parker House. His name was Dave Singleman. And he was eighty-four years old, and he’d drummed merchandise in thirty-one states. And old Dave, he’d go up to his room, y’understand, put on his green velvet slippers—I’ll never forget—and pick up his phone and call the buyers, and without ever leaving his room, at the age of eighty-four, he made his living. And when I saw that, I realized that selling was the greatest career a man could want. ‘Cause what could be more satisfying that to e able to go, at the age of eighty-four, into twenty or thirty different cities, and pick up a phone, and be remembered and loved and helped by so many different people? Do you know? When he died—and by the way he died the death of a salesman, in his green velvet slippers in the smoker of the New York, New haven and Hartford, going into Boston—when he died, hundreds of salesman and buyers were at his funeral. Things were sad on a lotta trains for months after that. He stands up. Howard has not looked at him. In those days there was personality in it, Howard. There was respect, and comradeship, and gratitude in it. Today, it’s all cut and dried, and there’s no chance for bringing friendship to bear—or personality. You see what I mean? They don’t know me anymore.
7. Why does Willy admire Dave Singleman? What is faulty in Willy’s line of logic? (Hint: what is the significance of his last name?)
a.
b.
8. What is so pathetic about Willy’s repeated requests to Howard for a salary?
9. “…You can’t eat the orange and throw the peel away—a man is not a piece of fruit!”
When Willy compares himself to an orange, how might his comments be interpreted as a criticism of capitalistic system?
10. OPINION:
If you were Howard, would you have terminated Willy’s position, or would you have made an allowance for him?
HOWARD: No, but it’s a business, kid, and everybody’s gotta pull his own weight.
Do agree or disagree with Howard’s philosophy of business?
11. HOWARD: This is no time for false pride, Willy. You go to your sons and you tell them that you’re tired. You’ve got two great boys, haven’t you.
………………………………………………………………………..
WILLY: I can’t throw myself on my sons, I’m not a cripple!
What is ironic about the exchange between Willy and Howard?
12. What is the significance of Howard’s tape recorder?
13. What causes Willy to retreat into the flashback with Ben?
14. Willy is torn between Ben and Linda; what might each character represent?
15. In what ways does Linda feed into Willy’s illusions?
16. WILLY: Without a penny to his name, three great universities are begging for him, and from there the sky’s the limit, because it’s not what you do, Ben. It’s who you know and the smile of your face! It’s contacts, Ben, contacts! The whole wealth of Alaska passes over the lunch table at the Commodore Hotel, and that the wonder, the wonder of this country, that a man can end with diamond here on the basis of being liked! He turns to Biff. And that’s why when you get out of that field today it’s important. Because thousands of people will be rooting for you and loving you. To Ben, who has again begun to leave: And Ben! When he walks into a business office his name will sound out like a bell and all the doors will open to him! I’ve seen it, Ben, I’ve seen it a thousand times! You can’t feel it with your hand like timber, but it’s there!
How does Willy view success? In contrast, Charlie treats the game in a very trivial manner. How does Charlie’s philosophy of success contrast with Willy’s?
17. Why didn’t Willy go to Alaska with Ben? Did he make the right decision?
18. When Willy returns from the flashback he appears disoriented and delusional. What might this state of mind foreshadow?
19. What is particularly painful and perhaps ironic about Willy’s chance meeting with Bernard?
20. When Bernard asks Willy, “What happened in Boston, Willy?” Willy becomes angry and defensive. Why?
21. BERNARD: Well, just that when he came back—I’ll never forget this, it always mystifies me. Because I’d thought so well of Biff, even though he’d always taken advantage of me. I loved him, Willy, y’know? And he came back after that month and too his sneakers—remember those sneakers with “University of Virginia” printed on them? He was so proud of those, wore them every day. And he too them down in the cellar, and burned them up in the furnace. We had a fist fight. It lasted at least half an hour. Just the two of us, punching each other down the cellar, and crying right through it. I’ve often thought of how strange it was that I knew he’d given up his life. What happened in Boston, Willy?
a. When Bernard confronts Willy with the truth, why does Willy repeatedly deny responsibility for Biff’s demise?
b. What is the symbolism behind the sneakers?
22. What happened to Biff and his high school career?
23. WILLY: And you never told him [Bernard] what to do, did you? You never took any interest in him.
CHARLEY: My salvation is that I never took any interests in anything.
What realization about raising successful sons does Willy have during this scene?
24. Why does Willy refuse to work for Charlie? Cite three possible reasons.
a.
b.
c.
25. WILLY, moving to the right: Funny, y’know? After all the highways, and the trains, and the appointments, and the years, you end up worth more dead than alive.
What does Willy mean by this, and how does Charlie respond?
26. WILLY, on the verge of tears: Charley, you’re the only friend I got. Isn’t that a remarkable thing? He goes out.
What is particularly tragic about this scene?
27. CHARACTERIZATION: HAPPY LOMAN
Find 3 specific adjectives that describe Happy in the restaurant scene. Then find one quotation to match each description.
a.__________________
b.__________________
c.__________________
28. BIFF: He walked away. I saw him for one minute. I got so mad I could’ve torn the walls down! How the hell did I ever get the idea I was a salesman there? I even believed myself that I’d been a salesman for him! And then he gave me one look and—I realized what ridiculous lie my whole life has been! We’ve been taking in a dream for fifteen years. I was a shipping clerk.
Explain the significance of Biff’s epiphany.
29. Why do you suppose Biff steals Bill Oliver’s fountain pen? Is it accidental or intentional?
30. BIFF: with determination: Dad, I don’t know who said it first, but I was never a salesman for Bill Oliver.
WILLY: What’re you talking about?
BIFF: Let’s hold on to the facts tonight, Pop. We’re not going to get anywhere bullin’ around. I was a shipping clerk.
WILLY, angrily: All right, now listen to me—
BIFF: Why don’t you let me finish?
WILLY: I’m not interested in stories about the past or any carp of that kind because the woods are burning, boys, you understand? There’s a big blaze going on all around. I was fired today.
In this scene, more than anything else, Biff is trying to sort out his life by facing the truth, how and why do both Willy and Happy prevent him from doing this?
31. Because Willy cannot accept reality, he once again retreats into the past and ignores everything that Biff explains about his meeting with Bill Oliver. When Willy resurfaces from his “escape,” he continues to ignore Biff and condemns him by declaring, “No, you’re no good, you’re no good, no good for anything.”
32. Why does Biff rearrange the truth and give Willy false hope in regards to Biff’s meeting with Bill Oliver?
33. In this scene, Willy is particularly distraught because he cannot handle his conversation with Biff, yet he is forced in his flashback to confront his transgression with The Woman. At this point, Willy retreats into the bathroom in a state of bewilderment. Upon his departure, Biff states “Miss Forsythe, you’ve just seen a prince walk by. A fine, troubled prince. A hardworking, unappreciated prince. A pal, you understand? A good companion. Always for his boys.” Is Biff attempting to impress Ms. Forsythe, or his he being sincere in his description of his father’s life?
34. HAPPY: No, that’s not my father. He’s just a guy. Come on we’ll catch Biff, and, honey, we’re going to paint this town!
What is striking about this passage?
35. Why did Biff go to see Willy in Boston? Instead of Willy being Biff’s savior, what ironically happens?
36. What is the relevance of the stockings?
37. How does Willy try and gloss over his affair with The Woman? How does Biff respond? Do you sympathize more with Willy or Biff’s character?
38. Why do the boys abandon Willy at the restaurant?
39. Why is Willy desperate to plant his seeds?
40. How do the boys try to appease their mother after the botched restaurant scene? Does it work?
41. Find a specific quotation in which Linda berates her sons. Do they deserve such harsh criticism?
42. What is Willy babbling about as he grovels in the garden?
43. WILLY, now assured, with rising power: Oh, Ben, that’s the whole beauty of it! I see it like a diamond, shining in the dark, hard and rough, that I can pick up and touch in my hand. Not like—like an appointment! This would not be another damned-fool appointment, Ben, and it changes all the aspects. Because he thinks I’m nothing, see, and so he spites me. But the funeral—straightening up: Ben, that funeral will be massive! They’ll come from Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire! All the old-timers with the strange license plates—that boy will be thunder-struck, Ben, because he never realized—I am known! Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey—I am known, Ben, and he’ll see what I am, Ben! He’s in for a shock, that boy!
What is the significance of this passage?
44. Why does Willy refuse to shake Biff’s hand when Biff informs Willy that he is leaving for good? If Willy is constantly angry with Biff, why doesn’t he want Biff to leave?
45. WILLY: Spite, spite, is the word of your undoing!
Is Willy right? Is Biff actually trying to spite his father? Or is he paranoid?
46. CLOSE ANALYSIS: What is significant about Biff and Willy’s final interaction in the play?
BIFF: Pop! I’m a dime a dozen, and so are you!
WILLY, turning on him now in an uncontrolled outburst: I am not a dime a dozen! I am Willy Loman, and you are Biff Loman!
Biff starts for Willy, but is blocked by Happy. In his fury, Biff seems on the verge of attacking his father.
BIFF: I am not a leader of men, Willy, and neither are you. You were never anything but a hard-working drummer who landed in the ash can like all the rest of them! I’m one dollar an hour, Willy! I tried seven states and couldn’t raise it. A buck an hour! Do you gather my meaning? I’m not bringing home any prizes any more, and you’re going to stop waiting for me to bring them home!
WILLY, directly to Biff: You vengeful, spiteful mutt!
Biff breaks from Happy. Willy, in fright, starts up the stairs. Biff grabs him.
BIFF, at the peak of his fury: Pop, I’m nothing! I’m nothing, Pop. Can’t you understand that? There’s no spite in it any more. I’m just what I am, that’s all.
Biff’s fury has spent itself, and he breaks down, sobbing, holding on to Willy, who dumbly fumbles for Biff’s face.
WILLY, astonished: What’re you doing? What’re you doing? To Linda: Why is he crying?
BIFF, crying, broken: Will you let me go, for Christ’s sake? Will you take that phony dream and burn it before something happens? Struggling to contain himself, he pulls away and moves to the stairs. I’ll go in the morning. Put him—put him to bed. Exhausted, Biff moves up the stairs to his room.
WILLY, after a long pause, astonished, elevated: Isn’t that—isn’t that remarkable? Biff—he likes me!
LINDA: He loves you, Willy!
HAPPY, deeply moved: Always did, Pop.
WILLY: Oh, Biff! Staring wildly: He cried! Cried to me. He is choking with his love, and now cries out his promise: That boy—that boy is going to be magnificent!
Ben appears in the light just outside the kitchen.
BEN: Yes, outstanding, with twenty thousand behind him.
47. Find a parallel quotation from Act I for Happy’s statement to his parents, “I’m getting married, Pop, don’t forget it.”
48. What are Willy’s last thoughts before he commits suicide? Do you think he dies fulfilled? Why or why not?
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