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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
Death of a Salesman exam |69 questions and answers.
- Exam (elaborations)
- • 11 pages •
Death of a Salesman exam |69 questions and answers.
Willy Loman is a 25 year old door to door salesman 
False 
 
 
 
Linda his wife loves him and admires his drive to make g is dreams come true 
True 
 
 
 
Willy feels that he is in top of things and in control in the first scene 
False 
 
 
 
The boys are happy and successful in their jobs making money and being well liked 
False 
 
 
 
Neither if the boys live at home 
True 
 
 
 
Biff and Will don't get along because Willy is frustrated that Biff does not have higher ambitions for himself 
Tr...
- Exam (elaborations)
- • 3 pages •
Willy Loman is a 25 year old door to door salesman 
False 
 
 
 
Linda his wife loves him and admires his drive to make g is dreams come true 
True 
 
 
 
Willy feels that he is in top of things and in control in the first scene 
False 
 
 
 
The boys are happy and successful in their jobs making money and being well liked 
False 
 
 
 
Neither if the boys live at home 
True 
 
 
 
Biff and Will don't get along because Willy is frustrated that Biff does not have higher ambitions for himself 
Tr...
Willy Loman is a 25 year old door to door salesman 
False 
 
 
 
Linda his wife loves him and admires his drive to make g is dreams come true 
True 
 
 
 
Willy feels that he is in top of things and in control in the first scene 
False 
 
 
 
The boys are happy and successful in their jobs making money and being well liked 
False 
 
 
 
Neither if the boys live at home 
True 
 
 
 
Biff and Will don't get along because Willy is frustrated that Biff does not have higher ambitions for himself 
Tr...
- Exam (elaborations)
- • 6 pages •
Willy Loman is a 25 year old door to door salesman 
False 
 
 
 
Linda his wife loves him and admires his drive to make g is dreams come true 
True 
 
 
 
Willy feels that he is in top of things and in control in the first scene 
False 
 
 
 
The boys are happy and successful in their jobs making money and being well liked 
False 
 
 
 
Neither if the boys live at home 
True 
 
 
 
Biff and Will don't get along because Willy is frustrated that Biff does not have higher ambitions for himself 
Tr...
Why has Willy returned home early at the beginning of the play? 
He had difficulty driving & almost crashed. 
 
 
 
Describe Willy. 
He's blunt, arrogant, angry, & suicidal. He wants to be loved. 
 
 
 
Describe Linda & explain how she treats Willy. 
She's Willy's wife & she admires him. She's also caring. 
 
 
 
How does Willy describe his son, Biff? 
He describes Biff as a lazy bum. 
 
 
 
Why has Biff come home & what's bothering him? 
He poses his return home as a choice to leave the ra...
- Exam (elaborations)
- • 3 pages •
Why has Willy returned home early at the beginning of the play? 
He had difficulty driving & almost crashed. 
 
 
 
Describe Willy. 
He's blunt, arrogant, angry, & suicidal. He wants to be loved. 
 
 
 
Describe Linda & explain how she treats Willy. 
She's Willy's wife & she admires him. She's also caring. 
 
 
 
How does Willy describe his son, Biff? 
He describes Biff as a lazy bum. 
 
 
 
Why has Biff come home & what's bothering him? 
He poses his return home as a choice to leave the ra...
Describe the first impression which the audience is given of Willy Loman. 
Troubled; because he cannot drive without being distracted. "I just couldn't make it Linda"- defeated, despair, ashamed. Desperate guy asking for help. 
 
 
 
What comment does Willy make about the scenery during his drive home, and how is this significant? 
Nature is distracting to him; he has a connection with nature. 
 
 
 
How does Willy contradict himself during his opening remarks about Biff? 
Willy refers to Bif...
- Exam (elaborations)
- • 9 pages •
Describe the first impression which the audience is given of Willy Loman. 
Troubled; because he cannot drive without being distracted. "I just couldn't make it Linda"- defeated, despair, ashamed. Desperate guy asking for help. 
 
 
 
What comment does Willy make about the scenery during his drive home, and how is this significant? 
Nature is distracting to him; he has a connection with nature. 
 
 
 
How does Willy contradict himself during his opening remarks about Biff? 
Willy refers to Bif...
Who said this? 
"And I never got anywhere because you blew me so full of hot air I could never stand taking orders from anybody! That's whose fault it is!" 
Biff Loman 
 
 
 
Who said this? 
"He's been trying to kill himself." 
Linda Loman 
 
 
 
Why are Biff and Willy at odds with one another? 
Willy wants Biff to become a successful salesman and "live the American Dream," but Biff just wants a simple life as a farmhand. 
 
 
 
What does Willy tell young Biff and Happy about their Uncle...
- Exam (elaborations)
- • 2 pages •
Who said this? 
"And I never got anywhere because you blew me so full of hot air I could never stand taking orders from anybody! That's whose fault it is!" 
Biff Loman 
 
 
 
Who said this? 
"He's been trying to kill himself." 
Linda Loman 
 
 
 
Why are Biff and Willy at odds with one another? 
Willy wants Biff to become a successful salesman and "live the American Dream," but Biff just wants a simple life as a farmhand. 
 
 
 
What does Willy tell young Biff and Happy about their Uncle...
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...
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Newest Death of a Salesman summaries
Death of a Salesman exam |69 questions and answers.
- Exam (elaborations)
- • 11 pages •
Death of a Salesman exam |69 questions and answers.
Willy Loman is a 25 year old door to door salesman 
False 
 
 
 
Linda his wife loves him and admires his drive to make g is dreams come true 
True 
 
 
 
Willy feels that he is in top of things and in control in the first scene 
False 
 
 
 
The boys are happy and successful in their jobs making money and being well liked 
False 
 
 
 
Neither if the boys live at home 
True 
 
 
 
Biff and Will don't get along because Willy is frustrated that Biff does not have higher ambitions for himself 
Tr...
- Exam (elaborations)
- • 3 pages •
Willy Loman is a 25 year old door to door salesman 
False 
 
 
 
Linda his wife loves him and admires his drive to make g is dreams come true 
True 
 
 
 
Willy feels that he is in top of things and in control in the first scene 
False 
 
 
 
The boys are happy and successful in their jobs making money and being well liked 
False 
 
 
 
Neither if the boys live at home 
True 
 
 
 
Biff and Will don't get along because Willy is frustrated that Biff does not have higher ambitions for himself 
Tr...
Willy Loman is a 25 year old door to door salesman 
False 
 
 
 
Linda his wife loves him and admires his drive to make g is dreams come true 
True 
 
 
 
Willy feels that he is in top of things and in control in the first scene 
False 
 
 
 
The boys are happy and successful in their jobs making money and being well liked 
False 
 
 
 
Neither if the boys live at home 
True 
 
 
 
Biff and Will don't get along because Willy is frustrated that Biff does not have higher ambitions for himself 
Tr...
- Exam (elaborations)
- • 6 pages •
Willy Loman is a 25 year old door to door salesman 
False 
 
 
 
Linda his wife loves him and admires his drive to make g is dreams come true 
True 
 
 
 
Willy feels that he is in top of things and in control in the first scene 
False 
 
 
 
The boys are happy and successful in their jobs making money and being well liked 
False 
 
 
 
Neither if the boys live at home 
True 
 
 
 
Biff and Will don't get along because Willy is frustrated that Biff does not have higher ambitions for himself 
Tr...
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...
Describe the first impression which the audience is given of Willy Loman. 
Troubled; because he cannot drive without being distracted. "I just couldn't make it Linda"- defeated, despair, ashamed. Desperate guy asking for help. 
 
 
 
What comment does Willy make about the scenery during his drive home, and how is this significant? 
Nature is distracting to him; he has a connection with nature. 
 
 
 
How does Willy contradict himself during his opening remarks about Biff? 
Willy refers to Bif...
- Exam (elaborations)
- • 9 pages •
Describe the first impression which the audience is given of Willy Loman. 
Troubled; because he cannot drive without being distracted. "I just couldn't make it Linda"- defeated, despair, ashamed. Desperate guy asking for help. 
 
 
 
What comment does Willy make about the scenery during his drive home, and how is this significant? 
Nature is distracting to him; he has a connection with nature. 
 
 
 
How does Willy contradict himself during his opening remarks about Biff? 
Willy refers to Bif...
Who said this? 
"And I never got anywhere because you blew me so full of hot air I could never stand taking orders from anybody! That's whose fault it is!" 
Biff Loman 
 
 
 
Who said this? 
"He's been trying to kill himself." 
Linda Loman 
 
 
 
Why are Biff and Willy at odds with one another? 
Willy wants Biff to become a successful salesman and "live the American Dream," but Biff just wants a simple life as a farmhand. 
 
 
 
What does Willy tell young Biff and Happy about their Uncle...
- Exam (elaborations)
- • 2 pages •
Who said this? 
"And I never got anywhere because you blew me so full of hot air I could never stand taking orders from anybody! That's whose fault it is!" 
Biff Loman 
 
 
 
Who said this? 
"He's been trying to kill himself." 
Linda Loman 
 
 
 
Why are Biff and Willy at odds with one another? 
Willy wants Biff to become a successful salesman and "live the American Dream," but Biff just wants a simple life as a farmhand. 
 
 
 
What does Willy tell young Biff and Happy about their Uncle...
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 ...
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. 
 
 
 
Biff Loman 
Willy's thirty-four-year-old elder son. He led a charmed life in high school as a football star with scholarship prospects, good male friends, and fawning female admirers. He failed math, however, and did not have enough credits to graduate. 
 
 
 
Linda Loman 
Willy's loyal, loving wife. She suffers through Willy'...
- Exam (elaborations)
- • 2 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. 
 
 
 
Biff Loman 
Willy's thirty-four-year-old elder son. He led a charmed life in high school as a football star with scholarship prospects, good male friends, and fawning female admirers. He failed math, however, and did not have enough credits to graduate. 
 
 
 
Linda Loman 
Willy's loyal, loving wife. She suffers through Willy'...
"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 ...
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