Death of A Salesman
Essay Test Key
1. How is Willie Loman a good and a bad salesman?
Good: He's out there "on a shoeshine and a prayer." He works in sales for over thirty four years. He always embellishes the truth--one aspect of sales. He had some good years; he tells us he was on good terms with his boss. He values being well liked and putting up a good front and never gives up in the face of adversity.
Bad: He was never cut out to be a salesman, he just could never face the truth. In a moment of weakness he confesses to Linda that people laugh at him and don't respect him. He never learns how to make the big deal; he may have lied and cheated, but he isn't ruthless. He has a driving ambition, but lacks vision. He always looks to others because he has no sense of himself.
2. Explain how lies are the foundation of the Loman Family. What erodes that foundation?
The Loman family is sustained by lies and is finally eroded by the truth. Outwardly, they are a family one might envy. The boys are popular, exceptional athletes, and good with the ladies. But inwardly, they perpetuate lie after lie and show moral weakness. Reality finally undermines those lies. Willie lies about his success, he exaggerates Biff's abilities and excuses his petty crimes. Linda supports the lies, and Happy lies about his job, takes bribes, and seduces his bosses' girlfriends. However, the Loman family is close knit and supportive until Biff discovers his father's affair. Only Biff is able to break away from the lies, and when he finally confronts Willie with the truth of their lives, Willie makes an ultimate gesture of committing suicide to give Biff the money to perpetuate the lies.
3. Describe how Linda contributes to Willie's failures.
Linda refuses to confront Willie. By being the dutiful wife, she enables his behavior. She defends him against all comers, even her sons. Even when Willie has doubts, she fuels his fantasies. When Ben offers Willie a chance to manage his Alaska enterprises, she talks him out of it. She refuses to confront him over his suicide plans.
4. Explain how Ben is both a positive and a negative image in the play.
Ben, Willie's older brother, is a negative image in the play. Ultimately, he lures Willie to his death. Willie holds him up as his ideal of capitalism, but he is ruthless, advocates cheating, and cannot abide Willie as he is. Ben left his family when Willie was three and never came back until much later.
Ben is a positive image in the play because he is the self-made man Willie idealizes. He went into a jungle and through luck and strength, emerged a rich man. He inspires Willie to never settle for small successes. He appears to offer his advice and opportunities to Willie, though Willie is too weak and deluded to follow them.
5. Describe Willie’s relationship with Charlie and why he won't accept a job from him.
Charlie is Willie’s only friend, yet he continually insults him. Although Willie accepts $50 per week from Charlie to support himself and Linda, he will not accept a job from Charlie because that would be admitting defeat. He has always looked down on Charlie who lacked Willie's passion and inflated sense of self. Charlie is a realist to Willie's dreamer.
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