DEATH OF A SALESMAN
Week #12

All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dream with open eyes, to make it possible.

T.E. Lawrence


  1. In the requiem Biff says, "he had all the wrong dreams, all all wrong" (p. 1040). What was wrong with Willie's dreams?

  2. Why won't Willie accept a job from Charlie--especially a job where he doesn't have to travel?

  3. What is the significance that flute music begins and ends the play?

  4. What is the significance of "The woods are burning?"

  5. How does the garden motif relate to the "dark, but full of diamonds" image?

  6. Compare and contrast the two brothers. How do they relate to Willie?

  7. What is the significance of the fact that the prostitute is called "the woman" and the two restaurant girls are called "Letta," and "Mrs. Forsythe."

  8. Like Williams and O'Neill, Miller definitely used name symbolism. Explain the significance of each character's name.

  9. What is the significance of Willie's constant concern over Linda mending her stockings?

  10. What is the significance of the whipped cheeze motif?

  11. What is the significance of Linda's impassioned speech to Biff: "a small man can be just as exhausted as a great man."

  12. Miller is very conscious of motifs, which are followed through in the stage directions. Explain.

  13. Explain how the play artfully juxtaposes dream and reality.

  14. What is the significance of WIllie's line, "so don't give me a lecture about facts and aspects...?"

  15. What is the significance of Biff's stealing?

  16. Miller uses many techniques to show the parallel between Biff and Willie. One example is the paralysis motif. Explain.

  17. What is the significance of Ben's line, "I gave you a bunch of wild flowers?"

  18. How can Biff be looked at as an alter-ego of Willie?

  19. What does Willie sell?

  20. Does the description of the death scene remind you of anything? (see p. 1040) "as the car speeds off, the music crashes down in a frenzy of sound, which becomes the soft pulsation of a single cello string."

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