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Death of a Salesman — Quote
Bank & Analysis
1. Stage Directions & Setting
“A melody is heard, __________” → “played upon a flute”
The flute motif creates a nostalgic, dreamlike atmosphere.
The recurring flute can symbolise Willy's longing for a simpler, more
natural past.
It also connects Willy to his father's and brother Ben's history as
travelling salesmen.
“We are aware of __________, __________ shapes behind it”
→ “towering, angular”
The “towering, angular shapes” of the buildings represent the
oppressive urban environment.
The setting has become dominated by modernity and capitalism.
The buildings physically surround the Loman house, reflecting how
Willy feels trapped by society.
“The way they __________ us in here” → “the way they
boxed us in here”
The verb “boxed” suggests confinement and entrapment.
The Loman family is literally surrounded by apartment buildings.
Symbolically, Willy is trapped by capitalism, the American Dream
and his own expectations of success.
,2. The American Dream &
Capitalism
“After all the ______, you end up worth more ______ than
alive”
→ “After all the fighting, you end up worth more dead than alive.”
Exposes the destructive consequences of the capitalist American
Dream.
Willy's suicide becomes his final attempt to create economic value
and leave a legacy.
The irony is that Willy believes his death will finally make him
financially valuable to his family.
Capitalism has therefore denied Willy value in life but appears to
give him value in death.
“The competition is maddening”
“Maddening” literally evokes insanity.
Suggests that relentless capitalist competition has contributed to
Willy's psychological deterioration.
There is also irony: competition is fundamental to the salesman
profession, yet Willy simultaneously embraces and condemns it.
Highlights the psychological damage caused by a society obsessed
with commercial success.
“A shipping clerk, a salesman. (...) ______ manner of
______”
→ “a measly manner of existence”
Biff reduces Willy's idealised profession to something insignificant.
“Measly” undermines Willy's grandiose conception of the
salesman.
Creates a contrast between Biff's growing understanding of the
emptiness of the American Dream and Willy's continued devotion to
it.
, “A salesman must dream”
Connects the salesman directly to the motif of dreams and hopes.
However, Miller questions whether these dreams are genuinely
achievable.
Willy's dreams become increasingly detached from reality.
3. Willy's Delusions & False
Confidence
“I'm the New ______ man. I'm ______ in New ______”
→ “I'm the New England man. I'm vital in New England.”
Willy believes that he is personally important to the company and
his community.
“Vital” suggests that he sees himself as essential.
However, the irony is that the company is actually central to Willy's
sense of identity: he needs the company to make him feel
important.
Reveals Willy's arrogance, delusion and fragile self-esteem.
“Because __________ always wins the day”
→ “Because personality always wins the day.”
Encapsulates Willy's belief in the importance of charisma and
popularity.
He believes success is determined by personality rather than hard
work or ability.
This reflects the superficiality of Willy's version of the American
Dream.
“He's liked, but he's not ______ ______”
→ “well liked.”
Willy's obsession with being “well liked” reveals that he measures
success through other people's perceptions.
i=6ajfp3&x=1jqt
Death of a Salesman — Quote
Bank & Analysis
1. Stage Directions & Setting
“A melody is heard, __________” → “played upon a flute”
The flute motif creates a nostalgic, dreamlike atmosphere.
The recurring flute can symbolise Willy's longing for a simpler, more
natural past.
It also connects Willy to his father's and brother Ben's history as
travelling salesmen.
“We are aware of __________, __________ shapes behind it”
→ “towering, angular”
The “towering, angular shapes” of the buildings represent the
oppressive urban environment.
The setting has become dominated by modernity and capitalism.
The buildings physically surround the Loman house, reflecting how
Willy feels trapped by society.
“The way they __________ us in here” → “the way they
boxed us in here”
The verb “boxed” suggests confinement and entrapment.
The Loman family is literally surrounded by apartment buildings.
Symbolically, Willy is trapped by capitalism, the American Dream
and his own expectations of success.
,2. The American Dream &
Capitalism
“After all the ______, you end up worth more ______ than
alive”
→ “After all the fighting, you end up worth more dead than alive.”
Exposes the destructive consequences of the capitalist American
Dream.
Willy's suicide becomes his final attempt to create economic value
and leave a legacy.
The irony is that Willy believes his death will finally make him
financially valuable to his family.
Capitalism has therefore denied Willy value in life but appears to
give him value in death.
“The competition is maddening”
“Maddening” literally evokes insanity.
Suggests that relentless capitalist competition has contributed to
Willy's psychological deterioration.
There is also irony: competition is fundamental to the salesman
profession, yet Willy simultaneously embraces and condemns it.
Highlights the psychological damage caused by a society obsessed
with commercial success.
“A shipping clerk, a salesman. (...) ______ manner of
______”
→ “a measly manner of existence”
Biff reduces Willy's idealised profession to something insignificant.
“Measly” undermines Willy's grandiose conception of the
salesman.
Creates a contrast between Biff's growing understanding of the
emptiness of the American Dream and Willy's continued devotion to
it.
, “A salesman must dream”
Connects the salesman directly to the motif of dreams and hopes.
However, Miller questions whether these dreams are genuinely
achievable.
Willy's dreams become increasingly detached from reality.
3. Willy's Delusions & False
Confidence
“I'm the New ______ man. I'm ______ in New ______”
→ “I'm the New England man. I'm vital in New England.”
Willy believes that he is personally important to the company and
his community.
“Vital” suggests that he sees himself as essential.
However, the irony is that the company is actually central to Willy's
sense of identity: he needs the company to make him feel
important.
Reveals Willy's arrogance, delusion and fragile self-esteem.
“Because __________ always wins the day”
→ “Because personality always wins the day.”
Encapsulates Willy's belief in the importance of charisma and
popularity.
He believes success is determined by personality rather than hard
work or ability.
This reflects the superficiality of Willy's version of the American
Dream.
“He's liked, but he's not ______ ______”
→ “well liked.”
Willy's obsession with being “well liked” reveals that he measures
success through other people's perceptions.
