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Death of a Salesman notes (1st edition)
Arthur Miller - ISBN: 9780141182742
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View all 24 notes for Death of a Salesman, written by Arthur Miller. All Death of a Salesman notes, flashcards, summaries and study guides are written by your fellow students or tutors. Get yourself a Death of a Salesman summary or other study material that matches your study style perfectly, and studying will be a breeze.
Best selling Death of a Salesman notes
A complete revision pack for both Tess of the d’Urbervilles and Death of a Salesman for AQA English Literature B A-Level Aspects of Tragedy. 
Pack includes revision resources aimed at each Assessment Objective of the specification: 
AO1: Concepts and terminology 
AO2: Analysed quotes 
AO3: Context 
AO4: Interpretations and critics 
AO5: Different audience/readers views
- Summary
- • 12 pages •
A complete revision pack for both Tess of the d’Urbervilles and Death of a Salesman for AQA English Literature B A-Level Aspects of Tragedy. 
Pack includes revision resources aimed at each Assessment Objective of the specification: 
AO1: Concepts and terminology 
AO2: Analysed quotes 
AO3: Context 
AO4: Interpretations and critics 
AO5: Different audience/readers views
The complete revision guide for the death of a salesman.
- Class notes
- • 124 pages •
The complete revision guide for the death of a salesman.
Willy Loman 
An insecure, self-deluded traveling salesman. He believes wholeheartedly in the American Dream of easy success and wealth, but he never achieves it. Nor do his sons fulfill his hope that they will succeed where he has failed. When his illusions begin to fail under the pressing realities of his life, his mental health begins to unravel. The overwhelming tensions caused by this disparity, as well as those caused by the societal imperatives that drive him, form the essential conflict o...
- Exam (elaborations)
- • 3 pages •
Willy Loman 
An insecure, self-deluded traveling salesman. He believes wholeheartedly in the American Dream of easy success and wealth, but he never achieves it. Nor do his sons fulfill his hope that they will succeed where he has failed. When his illusions begin to fail under the pressing realities of his life, his mental health begins to unravel. The overwhelming tensions caused by this disparity, as well as those caused by the societal imperatives that drive him, form the essential conflict o...
Linda informs Willy that one more mortgage payment remains on the house. How long have they been paying it? How old was Biff when these payments began? (Page 54) 
25 years. Biff was 9 years old when the payments began. 
 
 
 
Identify the speaker of the followings lines: "'Will you stop mending stockings?'" What is the symbolic significance of the stockings? (Page 55) 
Willy. The stockings remind Willy of his mistress in Boston. 
 
 
 
When Linda speaks with Biff on the phone, why does she t...
- Exam (elaborations)
- • 3 pages •
Linda informs Willy that one more mortgage payment remains on the house. How long have they been paying it? How old was Biff when these payments began? (Page 54) 
25 years. Biff was 9 years old when the payments began. 
 
 
 
Identify the speaker of the followings lines: "'Will you stop mending stockings?'" What is the symbolic significance of the stockings? (Page 55) 
Willy. The stockings remind Willy of his mistress in Boston. 
 
 
 
When Linda speaks with Biff on the phone, why does she t...
Summary notes on the contemporary societal context and beliefs/values that are at the heart of the play; also explores Miller's inspiration for the play. Knowledge of both the former and latter is key to grasping a full understanding of the play and its message.
- Summary
- • 3 pages •
Summary notes on the contemporary societal context and beliefs/values that are at the heart of the play; also explores Miller's inspiration for the play. Knowledge of both the former and latter is key to grasping a full understanding of the play and its message.
who is the author 
Arthur Miller, 
 
 
 
who is the salesman 
Willy Loman 
 
 
 
how many acts 
2 and a requiem 
 
 
 
who are the characters 
Willy Loman, Linda, Biff, Happy, Bernard, The woman, Charley, Uncle Ben, Howard Wagner, Jenny, Stanley, Miss Forsythe, Letta. 
 
 
 
where does the action takes place 
Willy Loman's House, yard and various places he visists in in New york and Boston. 
 
 
 
how olds is Willy Loman 
past sixty 
 
 
 
who is Willy's wife 
Linda 
 
 
 
what id the name of...
- Exam (elaborations)
- • 15 pages •
who is the author 
Arthur Miller, 
 
 
 
who is the salesman 
Willy Loman 
 
 
 
how many acts 
2 and a requiem 
 
 
 
who are the characters 
Willy Loman, Linda, Biff, Happy, Bernard, The woman, Charley, Uncle Ben, Howard Wagner, Jenny, Stanley, Miss Forsythe, Letta. 
 
 
 
where does the action takes place 
Willy Loman's House, yard and various places he visists in in New york and Boston. 
 
 
 
how olds is Willy Loman 
past sixty 
 
 
 
who is Willy's wife 
Linda 
 
 
 
what id the name of...
Why is Willy home? Why is Linda alarmed that he's home? 
He says that he is too tired to finish his trip. He says he was falling asleep and swerving off the road. Linda is worried about Willie in general. She thinks he works too hard and should not be traveling any more. She attributes Willie's swerving to bad steering in the car. She is also worried that he has smashed up the car again when he first returns. 
 
 
 
Why is Willy annoyed at Biff? How does he describe biff? What does this tell u...
- Exam (elaborations)
- • 6 pages •
Why is Willy home? Why is Linda alarmed that he's home? 
He says that he is too tired to finish his trip. He says he was falling asleep and swerving off the road. Linda is worried about Willie in general. She thinks he works too hard and should not be traveling any more. She attributes Willie's swerving to bad steering in the car. She is also worried that he has smashed up the car again when he first returns. 
 
 
 
Why is Willy annoyed at Biff? How does he describe biff? What does this tell u...
WILLY: a young man with such—personal attractiveness, gets lost. 
Literary Device: Hyperbole, Conflict (Man vs. Man), 
Meaning: 
• Willy's reflections suggest complete faith in the notion that in America, anyone who works hard and is personally compelling is destined to succeed. 
• Beyond that, they have a right to succeed. By the end of the play, however, it becomes apparent that that isn't necessarily true. 
• Willy's reflections suggest complete faith in the notion that popularity ...
- Exam (elaborations)
- • 37 pages •
WILLY: a young man with such—personal attractiveness, gets lost. 
Literary Device: Hyperbole, Conflict (Man vs. Man), 
Meaning: 
• Willy's reflections suggest complete faith in the notion that in America, anyone who works hard and is personally compelling is destined to succeed. 
• Beyond that, they have a right to succeed. By the end of the play, however, it becomes apparent that that isn't necessarily true. 
• Willy's reflections suggest complete faith in the notion that popularity ...
"A melody is heard, played upon a flute. It is small and fine, telling of grass and trees and the horizon" 
-Stage directions 
Flute= eerie, associated with dreams and nature, not drawing attention to itself 
Horizon= hope is far away/ long gone 
 
 
 
"Towering, angular shapes behind it, surrounding it on all sides" "Angry glow of orange" 
-Stage directions 
Skyscrapers, intimidating, urbanisation 
Makes Willys home seem small and vulnerable 
Hostile environment, Willy belittled (no more ...
- Exam (elaborations)
- • 4 pages •
"A melody is heard, played upon a flute. It is small and fine, telling of grass and trees and the horizon" 
-Stage directions 
Flute= eerie, associated with dreams and nature, not drawing attention to itself 
Horizon= hope is far away/ long gone 
 
 
 
"Towering, angular shapes behind it, surrounding it on all sides" "Angry glow of orange" 
-Stage directions 
Skyscrapers, intimidating, urbanisation 
Makes Willys home seem small and vulnerable 
Hostile environment, Willy belittled (no more ...
Hastings Refirgerator 
Willy's belief that well advertised proudcts are the best. 
 
 
 
Sneakers 
Biff's dreams-then he burns them (unfulfilled dream) 
 
 
 
Alaska Timberland 
Willy's missed opportunity with Ben 
 
 
 
Jungle 
Ben's success and the mystery behind how he became so rich. 
 
 
 
Mended Stockings 
Willy cheating (flashback) 
 
 
 
Fearless Characters 
Something Willy admires, his two sons 
 
 
 
Burning Woods 
Willy's crumbling dreams 
 
 
 
Green Velvet Slippers 
Dave Single...
- Exam (elaborations)
- • 3 pages •
Hastings Refirgerator 
Willy's belief that well advertised proudcts are the best. 
 
 
 
Sneakers 
Biff's dreams-then he burns them (unfulfilled dream) 
 
 
 
Alaska Timberland 
Willy's missed opportunity with Ben 
 
 
 
Jungle 
Ben's success and the mystery behind how he became so rich. 
 
 
 
Mended Stockings 
Willy cheating (flashback) 
 
 
 
Fearless Characters 
Something Willy admires, his two sons 
 
 
 
Burning Woods 
Willy's crumbling dreams 
 
 
 
Green Velvet Slippers 
Dave Single...
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Newest Death of a Salesman summaries
Willy Loman 
An insecure, self-deluded traveling salesman. He believes wholeheartedly in the American Dream of easy success and wealth, but he never achieves it. Nor do his sons fulfill his hope that they will succeed where he has failed. When his illusions begin to fail under the pressing realities of his life, his mental health begins to unravel. The overwhelming tensions caused by this disparity, as well as those caused by the societal imperatives that drive him, form the essential conflict o...
- Exam (elaborations)
- • 3 pages •
Willy Loman 
An insecure, self-deluded traveling salesman. He believes wholeheartedly in the American Dream of easy success and wealth, but he never achieves it. Nor do his sons fulfill his hope that they will succeed where he has failed. When his illusions begin to fail under the pressing realities of his life, his mental health begins to unravel. The overwhelming tensions caused by this disparity, as well as those caused by the societal imperatives that drive him, form the essential conflict o...
Where did Biff go early that morning? 
to go see Mr.Oliver 
 
 
 
What did Willy resolve to talk about with Howard? 
about the job in New York 
 
 
 
What is the result of Willy's conversation with Howard? 
he basically gets fired 
 
 
 
"You can't eat the orange and throw the peel away -- a man isn't a piece of fruit!" Explain why Willy said that. 
he spent his prime years working for them and now has no use for them so they fire him 
 
 
 
"This is no time for false pride, Willy. . . . Y...
- Exam (elaborations)
- • 5 pages •
Where did Biff go early that morning? 
to go see Mr.Oliver 
 
 
 
What did Willy resolve to talk about with Howard? 
about the job in New York 
 
 
 
What is the result of Willy's conversation with Howard? 
he basically gets fired 
 
 
 
"You can't eat the orange and throw the peel away -- a man isn't a piece of fruit!" Explain why Willy said that. 
he spent his prime years working for them and now has no use for them so they fire him 
 
 
 
"This is no time for false pride, Willy. . . . Y...
"Work a lifetime to pay off a house. You finally own it, and there's nobody to live in it." (15 
Willy to Linda 
The dream of success is hard to achieve and when finally achieved, it is too late or took to long 
 
 
 
"Bernard can get the best marks in school, y'understand, but when he gets out in the business world, y'understnad, you are going to be five times ahead of him." (33) 
Willy to Biff and Happy 
Willy has high expectations for his boys, but in reality and in the future, they ar...
- Exam (elaborations)
- • 7 pages •
"Work a lifetime to pay off a house. You finally own it, and there's nobody to live in it." (15 
Willy to Linda 
The dream of success is hard to achieve and when finally achieved, it is too late or took to long 
 
 
 
"Bernard can get the best marks in school, y'understand, but when he gets out in the business world, y'understnad, you are going to be five times ahead of him." (33) 
Willy to Biff and Happy 
Willy has high expectations for his boys, but in reality and in the future, they ar...
Linda informs Willy that one more mortgage payment remains on the house. How long have they been paying it? How old was Biff when these payments began? (Page 54) 
25 years. Biff was 9 years old when the payments began. 
 
 
 
Identify the speaker of the followings lines: "'Will you stop mending stockings?'" What is the symbolic significance of the stockings? (Page 55) 
Willy. The stockings remind Willy of his mistress in Boston. 
 
 
 
When Linda speaks with Biff on the phone, why does she t...
- Exam (elaborations)
- • 3 pages •
Linda informs Willy that one more mortgage payment remains on the house. How long have they been paying it? How old was Biff when these payments began? (Page 54) 
25 years. Biff was 9 years old when the payments began. 
 
 
 
Identify the speaker of the followings lines: "'Will you stop mending stockings?'" What is the symbolic significance of the stockings? (Page 55) 
Willy. The stockings remind Willy of his mistress in Boston. 
 
 
 
When Linda speaks with Biff on the phone, why does she t...
'Developed an iron repression of her exceptions to Willy's behaviour' 
Linda loves Willy, despite his mistreatment of her and how he underappreciates what she does for him. 
 
 
 
'The mind is what counts, dear.' 
Linda recognises that Willy is tormented by his inability to achieve his dreams. 
 
 
 
'[She is taking off his shoes]' 
Linda is loyal, hardworking and does her best to ease the burden on Willy. 
 
 
 
'You shouldn't have criticised him (Biff)' and 'You know how he admires ...
- Exam (elaborations)
- • 3 pages •
'Developed an iron repression of her exceptions to Willy's behaviour' 
Linda loves Willy, despite his mistreatment of her and how he underappreciates what she does for him. 
 
 
 
'The mind is what counts, dear.' 
Linda recognises that Willy is tormented by his inability to achieve his dreams. 
 
 
 
'[She is taking off his shoes]' 
Linda is loyal, hardworking and does her best to ease the burden on Willy. 
 
 
 
'You shouldn't have criticised him (Biff)' and 'You know how he admires ...
Be ____________ and you'll ___________ _________. (Willy) 
Be liked and you'll never want 
 
 
 
He's a ________ way out there in the __________, _____________ on a ___________________ and a ___________. (Charley, about Willy) 
He's a man way out there in the blue, riding on a shoeshine and a smile. 
 
 
 
There was the ________ ________ I __________ met who ________ the ____________. (Willy, about Ben) 
There was the only man I ever met who knew the answers. 
 
 
 
I think it's just that _...
- Exam (elaborations)
- • 8 pages •
Be ____________ and you'll ___________ _________. (Willy) 
Be liked and you'll never want 
 
 
 
He's a ________ way out there in the __________, _____________ on a ___________________ and a ___________. (Charley, about Willy) 
He's a man way out there in the blue, riding on a shoeshine and a smile. 
 
 
 
There was the ________ ________ I __________ met who ________ the ____________. (Willy, about Ben) 
There was the only man I ever met who knew the answers. 
 
 
 
I think it's just that _...
Willy did what on his way home from work at the beginning of the book? 
Steered off of the road and nearly crashed because his mind wandered and he forgot he was driving 
 
 
 
What does Linda recommend Willy does? 
Request a transfer to a local office job 
 
 
 
Where had Biff been for the last 10 years or so? 
Out West working as a farmhand 
 
 
 
Where did Biff spend a lot of his time while out West and why? 
In jail because he stole a suit 
 
 
 
Willy calls Biff lazy and then concludes that...
- Exam (elaborations)
- • 6 pages •
Willy did what on his way home from work at the beginning of the book? 
Steered off of the road and nearly crashed because his mind wandered and he forgot he was driving 
 
 
 
What does Linda recommend Willy does? 
Request a transfer to a local office job 
 
 
 
Where had Biff been for the last 10 years or so? 
Out West working as a farmhand 
 
 
 
Where did Biff spend a lot of his time while out West and why? 
In jail because he stole a suit 
 
 
 
Willy calls Biff lazy and then concludes that...
Context 
The play was a big success - written in 1949, and was inspired by Miller's experience of The Depression, which he said 'is my book'. The Depression put a great strain on his family, and to help them financially, he briefly became a salesman, although shortly quit because of the poor pay. Death of a Salesman is arguably one of Miller's most successful and memorable plays 
 
 
 
Miller quote on optimism 
'tragedy implies more optimism in its author than does comedy', because we real...
- Exam (elaborations)
- • 2 pages •
Context 
The play was a big success - written in 1949, and was inspired by Miller's experience of The Depression, which he said 'is my book'. The Depression put a great strain on his family, and to help them financially, he briefly became a salesman, although shortly quit because of the poor pay. Death of a Salesman is arguably one of Miller's most successful and memorable plays 
 
 
 
Miller quote on optimism 
'tragedy implies more optimism in its author than does comedy', because we real...
What does the description of the setting suggest about the mood of this play? 
Small house surrounded by tall buildings suggests that the mood is depressing and nostalgic. 
 
 
 
How does Linda define her role as a wife and mother? 
She defines her role as a housewife, she obeys him, & she protects him from himself 
 
 
 
Describe the relationship between Biff and Happy. 
Biff & Happy are brothers and are thinking about living together and working together. 
 
 
 
What is wrong with Willy? Why d...
- Exam (elaborations)
- • 2 pages •
What does the description of the setting suggest about the mood of this play? 
Small house surrounded by tall buildings suggests that the mood is depressing and nostalgic. 
 
 
 
How does Linda define her role as a wife and mother? 
She defines her role as a housewife, she obeys him, & she protects him from himself 
 
 
 
Describe the relationship between Biff and Happy. 
Biff & Happy are brothers and are thinking about living together and working together. 
 
 
 
What is wrong with Willy? Why d...
Hastings Refirgerator 
Willy's belief that well advertised proudcts are the best. 
 
 
 
Sneakers 
Biff's dreams-then he burns them (unfulfilled dream) 
 
 
 
Alaska Timberland 
Willy's missed opportunity with Ben 
 
 
 
Jungle 
Ben's success and the mystery behind how he became so rich. 
 
 
 
Mended Stockings 
Willy cheating (flashback) 
 
 
 
Fearless Characters 
Something Willy admires, his two sons 
 
 
 
Burning Woods 
Willy's crumbling dreams 
 
 
 
Green Velvet Slippers 
Dave Single...
- Exam (elaborations)
- • 3 pages •
Hastings Refirgerator 
Willy's belief that well advertised proudcts are the best. 
 
 
 
Sneakers 
Biff's dreams-then he burns them (unfulfilled dream) 
 
 
 
Alaska Timberland 
Willy's missed opportunity with Ben 
 
 
 
Jungle 
Ben's success and the mystery behind how he became so rich. 
 
 
 
Mended Stockings 
Willy cheating (flashback) 
 
 
 
Fearless Characters 
Something Willy admires, his two sons 
 
 
 
Burning Woods 
Willy's crumbling dreams 
 
 
 
Green Velvet Slippers 
Dave Single...
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