Death of a Salesman Act I
Foreshadowing Death
Act I already foreshadows the notion of death. Even from the title itself, we can see that the Salesman, Willy, is going to die. Willy comes back from work saying “I’m tired to the death” (2). This notion of “death” appears several times in the first Act from Willy.
Willy
Willy Just from the first few pages, we know that Willy is having difficulty being sane. He talks to himself in the middle of the night, reminiscing his past. His past is so perfect for him that he cannot accept the present that is too harsh for him. He claims to his sons in his illusion that “Someday I’ll have my own business, and I’ll never have to leave home any more” (18). The fact that he compares his imaginative business with Uncle Charley’s business already shows his inferiority complex towards his situation right now. He is dissatisfied with his present situation.
For Willy, his entire presence or existence is based on his career success. Now that he knows how his job does not value him as much as he thought they would, Willy finds it hard for the purpose to live. He claims that “Not finding yourself at the age of thirty-four is a disgrace!” (5). He basically does not like his own son not conforming to his American dream. His definition of success is based on the career and the wealth of the family. That is why he claims that “Biff is a lazy bum!...Why did he come home?” (5).
Despite the fact that he is not satisfied with his present situation, he does resists change in his life. He shouts, “I don’t want a change! I want Swiss cheese. Why am I always being contradicted?” (6). Although Willy is responding to his wife, it sounds almost like a rhetorical question to the society. He resists change and reminisces the good old past.
Biff
From Act I, Biff seems to be the character that has the most grudge against his own father. “Everything I say there’s a twist of mockery on his face” (10). He calls his father “That selfish, stupid…” overhearing Willy’s conversation with Linda (15). This already introduces a conflict in the play - The relationship between Biff and Willy.
First of all, Willy cannot accept the reality, where Biff does not have a proper job. This is due to Willy’s definition of success. For Willy, success is defined by materialistic elements which are also connected with being popular. The thing Willy wants from Biff is not only financial success but also the notion of “well-liked” (7). That is why Willy surrounds himself with materials that represent “success” in the society. "'Cause I get so lonely-especially when business is bad and there's nobody to talk to" (25). This line ultimately shows Willy's definition of success, both financial success and popularity. These examples include refrigerators and cars. The author is trying to emphasize the theme of obsession of being perfect through Willy’s desires.
It also seems to suggest that Biff has changed significantly from the past and lost direction in life. Happy consults his brother, “Where’s the old humor, the old confidence? (10). He replies by saying “I don’t know- what I’m suppose to want” (10). These genuine conversations between the brothers suggest that Biff has changed in a negative way and seems to be lost. “I’ve always made a point of not wasting my life, and ever time I come back here I know that all I’ve done is to waste my life” (11). Even the descriptions show that “well built, but in these days bears a worn air and seems less self-assured. He has succeeded less, and his dreams are stronger and less acceptable than HAPPY’S” (8).
Linda and Happy
Linda seems to be the Laura character in the play “The Glass Menagerie” by Tennessee Williams. She tries to be the mediator to all the conflicts. She tries to calm Willy’s anger by “Your mind is overactive, and the mind is what counts, dear” (3). This reminds me of Laura trying to comfort Tom.
“Happy is tall, powerfully made. He, like his brother, is lost, but in a different way, for he has never allowed himself to turn his face toward defeat and is thus more confused and hard-skinned, although seemingly more content.” (8). Happy is also the supporting character in the play as he tries to mediate the conflicts between Willy and Biff.
- Definition of Success
- Symbolism of "American Dream"
- Willy=Tragic Hero?
Themes
- Chasing the empty American dream
- Obsession of being perfect
- Harsh realities versus expectations
Widell, Harvey, and Arthur H. Miller. Death of Salesman,. New York: Penguin Group, 1956. Print.
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