Death of a Salesman test questions with correct answers

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 Biff as a lazy bum, but then contradicts himself by calling him a hard worker and that he's not lazy. Willy is in denial. Describe Willy's reaction to the American cheese. What commentary is Miller making about his character here? Shows that his resistance cannot even change with small details. How does the open window reflect Willy's attitude towards his environment? It shows that Willy feels "boxed in". He doesn't realize the windows are open because the neighborhood has changed so much. The new buildings block the breeze. When Willy reflects on the past, what attracts him? Willy longs for nature. He longs for the smell of the flowers through the open window. Willy and Biff had a better relationship when the neighborhood was't cluttered. What comment does Willy make about the Chevy? He thought he was driving the Chevy, but he wasn't. Linda- "open the windshield" Willy- "you can't"-- he thought he was driving the chevy. Chevy- his connection with his sons What is the significance of Biff's comment to Happy: "I can't get near him"? Biff and willy's relationship is separating. Whenever he goes near his father he feels mocked and it always starts an argument. Biff claims to be trying to get near his father. How does Biff's remark about wasting his life reflect his personality? He acknowledges his failure and accepts this truth. Sense of utility. He realizes he is wasting his life only when he comes home (because of Willy and Happy) How does Happy's comment about his friend in Long Island reflect the priorities of life? Happy isn't happy. He knows he would be always looking for something else like his friend. Happy prefers comfort over happiness. How does Biff use Happy's Long Island friend to support his effort to convince hm to go out West? Change your life style, don't be like your friend. Live with me out west. How does Willy's comment about Biff and his relationship with girls reflect his relationship with his son? Willy says he shouldn't worry about girls, but then admires how they pay for him. Dynamic: Biff can't do anything wrong. Even when something threaten's Biff's perfect image, Willy turns it around because of his denial. How does Willy's advice to Happy about how to clean the car windows reflect the difference between his relationship with Biff versus his relationship with Happy? Not just an innocent thing when Willy tells Biff to help Happy, Willy admires Biff more than he admires Happy. Why does Happy tell his father on several occasions, "Im losing weight, you notice, Pop?" Happy is trying to impress Willy. He is seeking attention from Willy. What is the significance of Biff's borrowing the football, and how does Willy react? Biff can't do anything wrong. Even when something threaten's Biff's perfect image, Willy turns it around because of his denial. How does the line regarding Charley, "He's liked, but he's not-- well liked" reflect Willy's philosophy on life? Willy thinks pushing others down will make him more confident. How does Willy's depiction of the amount of money he made on the road reflect his perception of reality? He perceived it to be more than it actually is. Idealized version deteriorates into reality. We see Willy's understanding of how people perceive him when he refers to the Walrus comment. How is his violent reaction significant? Shows he doesn't have a stable mind. Instability comes from Willy's denial; he knows he is overweight. To be liked is most important to Willy. How does Willy's flashback about the other woman cross with his relationship with Linda? He is complimenting Linda and wants her all the time but she cannot be there on the road, so he has an affair with another woman. Why does Willy become angry with Linda for mending her stockings? Goes back to guilt about the other woman. he bought that woman new stockings and on the other hand, Linda is fixing hers. Willy takes her for granted. What realities about Biff interfere with Willy's flashback? Willy hears all Biff's wrong doings. He acts like he is gonna punish Willy. He tells Linda and Bernard to "shut up" because he can't take the truth. He doesnt understand why Biff is so bad and questions his parenting. How does Willy react to Happy's comment that he would "retire him for life" and how is this response significant? Happy's comment means that life is ending. This is a moment of sheer desperation for Willy. The woods that used to bring him comfort are burning. Why does Willy become angry with Charley when he offers Willy a job? He becomes insulted because he has so much pride and although Willy needs help he is embarrassed Charley thinks he is unsuccessful. His pride won't let him take the job. What comment does Ben make about his success? How is this perceived by Willy? Ben's success-- did what Willy can only dream about. Went into the jungle at 17 and came out at 23 rich. Jungle-- key to success and civilization What does Willy learn from Ben about his father's profession? His father was a flute maker. Willy follows his father's foot steps; salesman. How would you describe Linda's attitude towards her sons as reflected? She is upset that neither of her sons are settled in their lives. Confronts her sons with the reality that Willy has been trying to kill himself. What revelation does Linda share with her sons about Willy's job? Willy is no longer getting a salary. He comes home with no money. What information does Linda know about Willy and Charley which Willy has tried to keep secret? Willy is borrowing money from Charley. What does Linda reveal to her sons about Willy's recent car accidents? Why does Willy consistently tell Linda not to interrupt him while he is speaking with Biff and Happy? Every time she speaks, Willy shuts her down. When she speaks it reminds her of their problems. Willy is so engrossed with his sons he takes Linda for advantage. How does Willy's advice to Biff about his upcoming meeting with Mr. Oliver contract itself? Willy advises Biff to to tell jokes to Mr. Oliver but then contradicts himself and tells Biff to make jokes. Why does Happy tell his mother that he is going to get married? How is the last line of Act 1 significant? Linda wants Willy to ask his boss to work in New York. "Gee, look at the moon moving through the buildings" The moon is always there, Willy hasn't ever seen it before. Where did Biff go early that morning? He went to see Mr. Oliver to ask for a loan. What subject did Willy decide to discuss with Howard? He wanted to see if he could stay in NY. What is the result of Willy's conversation with Howard? He is fired. "You can't eat the orange and throw away the peel- a man isn't a piece of fruit!" Explain why Willy says this. Willy was once the fruit itself; the company ate it. Now he is worn out and the company doesnt want him anymore. He feels like an orange peel thrown away. "This is no time for false pride, Willy...You've got two great boys, haven't you?" What is sadly ironic about this? Since Willy always brags about his sons, Howard believes this dramatization. It is sad because its not like Willy's sons are capable of taking care of him. Why didn't Willy go with Ben years ago when Ben offered him a job? Ben says, "What are you building? Lay your hands on it. Where is it?" What does this mean? Ben cannot understand Willy's perspective. Willy doesnt recognize the good in his life. Where does Willy go after his conversation with Howard? He goes to see Charley to borrow money. What does Willy ask Bernard? "What went wrong with Biff? What happened?" What was Bernard's reply? He said that Biff was going to summer school but then went to Boston to see Willy and was never the same What cant Willy work for Charley? He was insulted Charley thought he wasn't doing his job well enough, so now he borrows money. Even after being fired, Willy cannot take this job because his pride.