Death of a Salesman

Despite Willy’s religious dedication to the American Dream, his longing for nature and life outdoors is heavily implied in his regret at not taking Ben’s offer to go to Alaska. It is clear that the Loman men long for the outdoors and are not suited to life in the business world. How does each of the Loman men respond to their natural inclination to the outdoors? Why does each Loman choose the paths that they do? What implications do these choices have on their lives?

The fractured relationships between the Loman fathers and sons significantly impact their lives. While Willy’s father abandons him, Willy himself betrays his family despite working to provide them with the American Dream’s idea of success. How do the choices of each father impact their sons’ interpretations of success? How do Willy and Biff perceive their respective fathers and why? 

Having been abandoned by both his father and older brother at a young age, Willy lacks fatherly love and approval. What does Willy mean when he tells Ben that he feels “temporary” about himself? What aspects of his behavior and personality demonstrate his longing for love and acceptance? Does the lack of a father figure explain Willy’s fixation on being well-liked?

The play is largely focused on the underlying theme of the American Dream and the Lomans’ distortion of it. What is the American Dream, according to different members of the Loman family, and what does it require? Who believes it to be attainable, and who doesn’t? In what ways is the play’s commentary on the actual American Dream cynical?

Stockings serve as a major motif in the play, representing both Willy’s guilt about his infidelity and his inability to provide financial stability for his family. How do Willy and Biff perceive stockings? How do Linda and the unnamed Woman perceive stockings? What metaphorical significance do these perceptions hold?

A major aspect of Willy’s character is his contradictions and denial. Willy repeatedly contradicts his own statements and denies reality with his perceptions of his and Biff’s potential. Why does Willy contradict himself so often? What reality is he in denial about, and why? How does his constant denial push Willy to suicide in the end?

Biff claims that while he has attempted to make sure he doesn’t waste his life, he still feels worthless every time he returns home. What definition of success does he pursue away from home that makes him feel a semblance of a life well lived? What definition of success is forced upon him that makes him feel like a failure back home? Are success and failure subjective constructs, or clearly measurable as in the American Dream?

Willy idolizes Dave Singleman’s “death of a salesman”, fantasizing about reaching a status where he is well-liked and well-known. According to Willy, what does it mean to die the “death of a salesman”? Based on the turnout at Willy’s funeral, does he achieve that fantasized “death”?