Death of a Salesman Day 3

July 16,

Continuing where we left off, we finally come back to the present instead of random daydreams/flashbacks. Biff and Happy come down to discuss Willy's condition. Linda scolds them for judging Willy so harshly. Biff declares that he knows he's a fake, (supposedly he's talking about his knowledge that Willy has cheated on Linda) but then Linda tells them that Willy has tried to commit suicide. Happy yells at Biff then Willy comes in and yells at Biff, but Happy comes in and brings up the idea that he and Biff should go into the sporting goods industry. Willy, happy at this prospect gives Biff a multitude of tips on business and coaches him on his later meeting to get a loan with Biff's old employer, Bill Oliver. They all argue a little more and try to over talk one another but everyone later reconciles and goes to bed.

Act 1 is done! This is a well written play I have to say, the way Miller describes the characters and both their internal and external conflict is quite good. I thoroughly enjoyed it though personally, I do not like Wily that much. He just seems too...pompous and proud to accept help or accept the basic facts about his life. On to Act 2!

Act 2 opens with Willy enjoying a breakfast made by Linda. Their sons have left early to go about their business and Willy seems proud of his sons, especially Biff who he apparently criticizes a lot. They get into another minor argument about paying the bills for the expensive appliances in the house. Linda then tells him that his sons are taking him out to dinner tonight and in turn Willy tells Linda that he's going to make Howard Wagner, son of Willy's friend give him a NYC job. How glamorous. The phone rings after he leaves and Linda is excitedly telling Biff that he went downstairs to destroy the breathing tube Willy used to try and kill himself when it was magically gone. She thought that he took it away himself but she then learns (We already know) that Biff took it himself.

We are then transported to Howards office with Willy sitting across from him. Willy tries to bring up his request but Howard rudly interuppts him and plays a recording of his wife and kids. When Willy finally gets a word in, Howard immediatly rejects his proposal and leaves for a brief spell. Willy is angry and when Howard reenters, he starts yelling at him. (Not a thing to do to your superiors). Howard then tells him to "take a break" basically firing him and BANG, Willy enters another daydream. His brother again walks in and tells him to come to Alaska with him. The younger Linda appears and reminds him of his duty to her, his job, and his sons. Willy then appears to be talking to Bernard, Charley's son and lies about Biff currently doing a "Big deal." Bernard is apparently going to Washington to argue a case a hearing this, Willy asks Bernard who happened to be Biff's close friend why he became such a failure. Bernard tells him that after Biff went to Boston, he came back and for the first time, got in a fight with Bernard.

Obviously something happened in Boston that made him not want to go to summer school. Willy immediatly retorts and says not to blame him. Again here we are shown Willy's denial of his situation and furthermore, life. Charley enters and tells Bernard that he should be going. Charley tells Willy that his son is going to argue in front of the USSC which is quite a accomplishment. Willy asks for more than the usual amount of money and Charley again offers him a job. Now Willy DOES NOT have a job but he STILL refuses. He tells Charley that he's been fired and Charley tells him, not in a kind way that he always needed to be liked and eventually gives him the money. This makes Willy tear up and he exits saying that Charley "you're the only friend I got." What a wuss. He can take a fine steady job which makes $50 a week and he still wont take it.