Reference to Willy whose final sale is his life for the insurance policy money. Death of a dream and death of the American Dream

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1 Death of a Salesman test review 65 Point Test (50 Multiple Choice/ 1 Essay) Reading comprehension of the play Articles about Miller and Tragedy Comparison of classical and modern, character traits, Impact of play, themes, Motifs Study Questions 1) What are the connotations associated with the title? How does the title relate to the themes of the play? Death of A Salesman the idea that the job of the traveling salesman no longer exists. He has been replaced with progress and technology. He is no longer vital or needed. Reference to Dave Singleton who died the death of a salesman people came from miles around to pay respect at his funeral. He was well-liked and admired. Reference to Willy whose final sale is his life for the insurance policy money. Reference to anyone who has a dream and tries to make it in the world, but fails by having the wrong dreams. Death of a dream and death of the American Dream Death of traditional values 2) Is Death of a Salesman a true tragedy? How has the idea of tragedy evolved from Aristotle to Miller? Arthur Miller believes that the common man is as apt a hero as a king because we can relate to him. Aristotle believes that a reversal of circumstance occurs whereas Miller says that tragedy occurs when a character is willing to lay down his life to maintain personal dignity. Miller says that tragedy occurs when a character misses accomplishing his joy. Aristotle focuses on the unities and plot whereas Miller believes that conflict is important only when one understands the character.

2 3) How is Willy the protagonist? How might an argument be made for Biff as the protagonist? Willy: he is the character who lays down his life in order to maintain his personal dignity. He misses accomplishing his joy. Biff: he is the character who is dynamic he has the enlightenment that they had all the wrong dreams. 4) What is Willy s tragic flaw and how does it lead to his downfall? Willy s tragic flaw having the wrong dreams. His inherent unwillingness to remain passive in the face of what he conceives to be a challenge to his dignity or image of his rightful status. In other words, he fights the world of corporate America for his place in it, even though he should pursue a life in the country where he can build things. 5) How is this play a social commentary? Showcases the American Dream as a false hope for some. Willy does not achieve his success even though he works hard. Arthur Miller is criticizing the American Dream man has to sell out in order to make it in the corporate world. Charley did not have the tragic flaw Miller spoke about because he was satisfied with his life. 6) In what way is Happy similar to Willy? Both are disillusioned about the business world. Both have the wrong values. Neither has accomplished joy. Willy doesn t know himself and neither does Happy. 7) Who is the dynamic character in the play? Why? Biff: he is the character who is dynamic he has the enlightenment that they had all the wrong dreams. Dynamic Character: A character who changes as the result of an experience. 8) Describe the importance of the following symbols: stockings, football, pen, sample cases, velvet slippers, garden seeds, diamonds, rubber hose, tape recorder, etc.

3 9) Describe the importance of the following motifs: building things, broken appliances, flute music, boxed in, woods are burning, working with one s hands Building Things: Willy and Biff are both good at working with their hands. This is what they should do for a living not sales. Broken Appliances: The refrigerator and car breaks down before it is paid for, just like Willy. He cannot make the last payment on the house because he is a broken man after losing his job. Flute Music: Signals a return to the past / flashback. Willy s father was a traveling salesman who sold flutes. Boxed in / Woods are Burning : Both these indicate how Willy is suffocating under the capitalistic world he lives in. Nothing will grow or thrive not his business, not the planted seeds, and not his boys. 10) What are the fundamentals of the American Dream? Respect, Power, Acceptance 11) Why is it ironic that Happy turns out just like Willy? Happy was largely ignored by Willy 12) How is this play similar to Oedipus? Both have enlightenment as an aim Conflict is an important element 13) How is this play different from Oedipus? Oedipus is a king and Willy is a common man 14) What is Willy s problem, according to Linda? He is exhausted 15) Why is Willy upset with Biff? Biff sees through Willy he feels shame for having been discovered cheating on his wife. All his hopes (seeds of the future) rested with Biff becoming successful.

4 16) Why is Biff upset with Willy? Biff discovered his father in the hotel room with the woman 17) Why is Linda upset with Biff and Happy? They do not show Willy respect. They argue with him and ignore him. 18) What is Ben s purpose in the play? Ben represents the ruthless world of business in which you cannot play fair to succeed. Willy admires him, but he is not ruthless enough. Also, it indicates how Willy is following the wrong dream he cannot be successful like Ben because he is not like Ben. Willy s foil. 19) What does Miller say is the knowledge gained from tragedy? knowledge of the right way to live 20) What does Miller believe man fears? Being displaced forced out the inherent disaster in being torn away from our chosen image of what and who we are in this world. 21) Why can a common man be heroic? Common man shares the same hopes and dreams. He is more relatable. The commonest of men may take on that stature to the extent of his willingness to throw all he has into the contest, the battle to secure his rightful place in his world. Common man best understands the fear of displacement Issues of nobility do not raise our passion 22) What is the TRAGIC FEELING according to Miller? When we are in the presence of a character who is ready to lay down his life in order to maintain his personal dignity.

5 23) What did Willy s father sell? Flutes 24) Who guides/aides Willy? Charley and Ben 25) Which character is dynamic? Biff 26) Who is Willy s foil? Charley and Ben 27) What is the play s universal appeal? The common man best understands the struggle of finding one s place in the world. 28) What are references to lying and cheating? Willy and the woman Biff and the fountain pen and football Happy and all the women Ben who does not fight fair 29) How is the theme of disillusionment of the American Dream shown? Willy misses accomplishing his joy of becoming successful he is displaced by technology and those around him. 30) How is the theme of the individual and society shown? Willy is the LOW man on the totem pole of society. He is a dime a dozen and ignored. He does not fulfill his image for himself 31) How is the theme of the individual versus self shown? Willy fights against his own image---doesn t know who he is