What happens in Act 2 of Death of a Salesman?
In Act 2 of Death of a Salesman, Willy Loman, exhausted and indebted, begs his boss to let him work in New York. When he’s fired, Willy turns to Charley for a loan. Charley offers him a job, but Willy refuses to work for him. His sons try to give him bad news, but Willy won’t accept it.
What are some quotes from Death of a Salesman?
Death of a Salesman Quotes
- “Why am I trying to become what I don’t want to be?
- “Pop!
- “I’m gonna show you and everybody else that Willy Loman did not die in vain.
- “I’ve got to get some seeds.
- “I don’t know what the hell I’m workin’ for.
- “I am not a leader of men, Willy, and neither are you.
What is Willy’s philosophy in Act 2?
Willy’s philosophy is that being attractive and fit is necessary to be successful.
Why is Willy’s happy at the start of Act Two?
Why is Willy’s mood upbeat at the start of Act Two? What does he expect to happen? Willy has been duped by his reliance on an idealistic and unrealistic American Dream. Having been “caught up” by his sons plans to open a sporting good store, he begins Act II full of hope and energy.
Who attends Willy’s funeral?
To Linda’s considerable chagrin and bewilderment, Willy’s family, Charley, and Bernard are the only mourners who attend Willy’s funeral.
Does Mr Oliver remember Biff?
In reality, Mr. Oliver doesn’t remember him. Willy tells Biff to be serious and not crack any jokes then a few lines later tells Biff to walk in with a smile and tell some jokes to win him over with his personality.
What is a meaningful quote from Arthur Miller?
“Everything we are is at every moment alive in us.” “Just remember, kid, you can quicker get back a million dollars that was stole than a word that you gave away.” “Don’t be seduced into thinking that that which does not make a profit is without value.”
Who says you can’t eat the orange and throw the peel away?
“You can’t eat the orange and throw the peel away — a man is not a piece of fruit!” Willy again protests after cold-hearted Howard orders him to leave his office. Willy is saying that he cannot throw him away like the peel of a fruit. Willy further tells him that people are not fruits and must be given proper respect.
Where did Biff go early that morning in Act 2?
Where did Biff go early that morning? He went to see Mr. Oliver.
Why does Biff burn his sneakers?
His sneakers represent how angry Biff was at Willy (when he got home from catching Willy creating on his wife, he throws them away in the furnace) They also represent Willy’s dream, not Biffs. By burning the shoes he thought that it would show Willy that he doesn’t care anymore about what Willy wants.
Why does Miller have the girls come in?
The reason Miller decides to have the girls come in because it is a foreshadow about what is to come. It is a reminder to Willy of the event that happened in the hotel room in Boston and forces Willy to confront his past.
Why can’t Linda cry at husbands funeral?
Linda’s refrain of “I can’t cry” reflects the shock that accompanies grief, especially when a death is so unexpected. Linda feels guilty for her tearless reaction (“Forgive me, dear”), but it is because she also feels lost and confused.
Why did Biff go to jail?
Biff states that he has stolen himself out of every job since high school and that during the three-month period when he was completely out of touch with his family he was, in fact, in prison for stealing a suit.
Why did Biff steal the pen?
Biff may steal as it distracts from his own self-loathing and it gives him a sense of power and getting pay back. The stealing of the pen may also represent taking something from Oliver because Oliver took away Biff’s self-worth.
What does Ben symbolize in Death of a Salesman?
His character is representative of Willy’s unrealistic dreams as well as the realty of his life. When the audience first encounters Ben (Miller 44), he represents the success that Willy is striving for.
Who says the jungle is dark but full of diamonds?
Quote by Arthur Miller: “The jungle is dark but full of diamonds, Willy.”
What are 3 interesting facts about Arthur Miller?
The standard details about Arthur Miller’s life are well known. He was married to Marilyn Monroe. He testified before the House Un-American Activities Committee (and was convicted of contempt of Congress). He wrote Death of a Salesman, considered by some t0 be the great American drama.
Why did Biff decide to leave for good?
Q. Why did Biff decide to leave for good? He was tired of supporting his parents.
What do the seeds symbolize in Death of a Salesman?
Seeds. Seeds represent for Willy the opportunity to prove the worth of his labor, both as a salesman and a father. His desperate, nocturnal attempt to grow vegetables signifies his shame about barely being able to put food on the table and having nothing to leave his children when he passes.
Why does Biff ask Oliver for a loan?
Ten years ago when Biff worked for Bill Oliver, Biff quit to keep from being fired after stealing a case of basketballs. Now, ten years later, Biff remembers that Bill offered to help if Biff needed anything, so Biff decides to go to him to ask for a business loan.
Who is Willy’s thirty two year old younger son?
Happy Loman
Willy’s thirty-two-year-old younger son.
Is Ben Real in Death of a Salesman?
Ben is Willy’s adventurous and lucky older brother. Of course, he’s dead, so he only appears in the play as a character in Willy’s troubled imagination. Willy totally idolizes Ben because he was an adventurer who escaped the world of business and got rich quick by finding diamonds in the African jungle.
Why does Biff show him the rubber hose?
To condemn Willy’s fantasies is to threaten Willy’s existence. Biff levels the final blow when he confronts Willy with the rubber hose. Not only does Biff force Willy to recognize the hose and his suicidal intention, but in so doing, Biff destroys Willy’s dream that his suicide will redeem him.
What did Biff reveal to his family?
During Scene 10, once Biff discovers that his father is not perfect, and even worse, that he is a traitor to his mother, Biff loses all respect for Willy. He realizes that everything Willy said to him means nothing.
What is the irony of Linda’s last speech?
Linda does not understand that for a man like Willy, a salary is more than just paying bills. The money that Willy brings in shows how successful he is which feeds his confidence and ego. The irony is in the end of the speech when she says “we’re free”. The last payment is made so they are out of financial debt.