UU-LIT-1250-ZM: Introduction to Drama

Assessment 2: Death of
a Salesman

Faysal Abdi Abdullahi

R1908D8975589
Introduction to Drama (28873)
Ugwu Lawrence Enenche

15/8/2021

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Once you carefully read the primary material – Death of a Salesman (1949) by

Arthur Miller and study the complementary material about drama, complete the

below questions electronically by typing your answers.

1) Compare and contrast Willy's death with Dave Singleman's death. What does it
mean to die "the death of a salesman" and did Willy achieve that? (50 points)
Type your answer here. In Death of a Salesman, Willy’s death is brought upon by suicide making
his death considerably shrouded by gloom. His last moments consisted of a shocking realization
presented by his son Biff, which he invested all his failed ambition upon. This family encounter and
confrontation of reality, brought upon great despair in Willy. After his death greater despair was
obvious in the concrete evidence of his small, barely attended funeral. As a salesman Willy greatly
admired Dave Singleman whom in contrast had a fanfare funeral attended by big names from
various locations. Dave had a funeral of a person with notoriety that had lived a well-connected,
respected and rich life.

The term death of a salesman from the percpective of Willy seems to imply successful and admired.
Willy always had an ambitious “American Dream” notion and expected to acquire it in his line of
work. For him to be successful in his line of work as a salesman, he had to be liked by not only his
customers, but also his peers. Another way it can be perceived after Charlies definition of a
Salesman at the funeral, which was “and for a salesman, there is no rock bottom to the life… He’s
man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a Shoeshine” (Miller 14). In this perspective it
makes the salesman seem like a carefree person fuelled by the path of their dream, which we can

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more than assume relates to the American dream. They continue to strive to attain their ambitions
without accepting failure, since there is no rock bottom to the salesman life. This can be interpreted
to represent a salesman’s death as one of loneliness and solitude, since they can never really create
concrete relationships due to their line of work. Yet, I think this perspective is more closely related
to Willy’s family situation and not as general (for all salesman) as Willy’s idea. Willy’s death
closely resonates to the idea that the death of a salesman is that of solitude.

2) Discuss Miller’s use of symbols and motifs in Death of a Salesman. (50 points)

Your answer should be approximately 500 words (250 for each question) and the PEE

technique (Point Evidence Explanation) should be applied. 100 points

Type your answer here. Miller used a very interesting technique of masking Willy’s thoughts
and reality in almost mythical context. Willy’s has this mental habit of recurring Ben whenever
facing adversary and in these moments the topic of conversation is usually gloomy and
metaphoric. For instance, after Biff encountered his infidelity Willy hallucinated a dialogue with
Ben. Willy spoke of committing suicide so that Linda (his wife) can collect the life insurance. In
that instance Willy told Ben “I see it like a diamond, shining in the dark, hard and rough, that I
can pick up and touch in my hand. Not like — like an appointment! This would not be another
damned-fool appointment, Ben, and it changes all the aspects. Because he thinks I’m nothing,”
(Miller 7). There is great symbolism in diamond as it is repeated by Ben in crucial moments
surrounding Willy’s attempts and final suicide, all seeming to represent tangible and evident
wealth. Within the last quote you also find a very important statement “Because he thinks I’m
nothing” that deals with the general plot and also possesses its own symbolism. This statement
is connected with Biff, Willy’s son, who found out about his father’s infidelity. During that
scene a great use of symbolism is Willy giving the stocking to the Woman, representing the
casual handing over of something sacred that belongs to his wife. There seems to be great
meaning in the stocking due to Biff’s reaction and exclamation as seen in (Miller 3), “You —
you gave her Mama’s stockings! (His tears break through and he rises to go).” The obvious pain
and implications are present and the theme of the whole story changes from that point forward,
setting the tone of Willy’s moral dilemma and trivial battle against reality.

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Work Cited

Miller, Arthur. Death of a Salesman: Revised Edition. Penguin, 1996.

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