Question

Death of a Salesman—Discussion Questions

Why is Willy annoyed at Biff? How does he describe Biff? What does this tell us about Willy?

How has the neighborhood changed? Why does it matter to the story that his surroundings are no longer the way they used to be?

How does Linda treat Willy? How do the boys feel about him? Why are these relationships between the characters important?

Willy praises and then curses the Chevrolet; he tells Linda that he’s very well liked, and then says that people don’t seem to take to him. What do these inconsistencies tell us about Willy?

Why is Willy’s mood upbeat at the start of Act Two? What does he expect to happen? What does this show us about Willy?

What is Willy’s philosophy? How does Biff as a football hero embody his father’s dreams? Why does Charley say Willy hasn’t grown up?

Why won’t Willy work for Charley? Why is Willy able to ask Charley for money? How is Charley’s view of what a salesman needs different from Willy’s view?

How do Biff’s realizations underline the theme of the play?

In the restaurant, how does Happy reflect Willy’s values? Why does Miller have the girls come in?

Answer 1

1. Biff always changes his job and therefore fails to make money. It keeps his father Bliff in tension. Even at the age of thirty four he is still unemployed. Willy is really disappointed for his sons.

2. Willy knows very well that Biff k owns his relationship with a woman. The relationship between father a d son is not based on affection and respect. Willy believes that he will never get respect from.Biff.

3. Biff says that his father is really a bad man and he has an illicit relationship with a woman. He also tells his mother that his father is out of normal self. He sometimes becomes mad in his behaviour.

4. The world around them is not the same as it used to be and in the past it was better. The characters become nostalgic here. At the beginning the surrounding of the abode of Willy was empty and full with trees. There was no house nearby. But gradually there were built many buildings. Willy felt a kind of confinement at his house.