DEATH OF A SALESMAN

Analyze literature as a means of valuing other people and

their various circumstances in life. EN9LT-IIa-15.
 grail (noun)
- in medieval legend) the cup or platter used by Jesus at
the Last Supper, and in which Joseph of Arimathea
received Christ's blood at the Cross. Quests for it
undertaken by medieval knights are described in
versions of the Arthurian legends written from the early
13th century onward.
- 2. a thing that is eagerly pursued or sought after.
LET’S WATCH
THIS
QUESTIONS

-What is the video all about?

-What insights can you give
about the video?
DEATH OF A SALESMAN
- It is a play in “two acts and a requiem” by Arthur
Miller, written in 1948 and
produced in 1949. Miller won a Pulitzer Prize for
the work, which he described as “the
tragedy of a man who gave his life, or sold it” in
pursuit of the American Dream.
DEATH OF A
SALESMAN
SUMMARY VIDEO.
DEATH OF A
SALESMAN
Read the SUMMARY AND ANALYSIS of the
text, and answer the questions that follow.
- Willy Loman though had a very good skill in carpentry
adopts a job as a salesman so as to fulfill his
American dream. He is a father of two sons, Biff and
Happy and has a wife Linda. He returns from a
business trip and concludes that now he cannot travel
more for the sake of the business. His wife Linda
suggests him to ask his boss to give him a local job at
the headquarter. Willy mistakenly takes him as an
important salesman of his office so he will certainly
get the local job.
- When Biff comes from his farm work, Willy reminds
him that he could do better than this in the field of
business. He further tells him that he is wasting his
time and talents. But, Willy does not have any faith on
his other son Happy and hates him for his failure. On
the same night, Willy is heard talking to imaginary
people and even shouting to them. Because of his
shout, Biff and Happy wake up and are worried about
their father as he had never behaved like that before.
- Biff thinking that he should not leave his father alone,
plans to borrow loan from his former employer Bill to
start a business. Linda tells her sons that they are
having a difficult time financially. She further states
that Willy has been attempting suicide. Meanwhile,
Willy argues with Biff for being so reckless, but Happy
immediately interrupts informing Willy that next
morning Biff has planned to see his former boss, Bill.
Willy is now happy and goes to sleep.
- All hopes for the better morning: Willy is hopeful in
getting local job and Biff expects to get a loan to start
a new business. The next morning, all their hopes are
shattered. Willy overconfidently approaches his boss
and tells him all his problems in travelling for the sake
of business. Instead of providing him with the local
job, the boss fired him. He is now jobless. Frustrated
by the news, he goes to see his sons at a restaurant.
- Biff is sure that Bill would not see him and there is no
question of getting a business loan from him as he
had stolen a pen from him some time ago. Willy
reaches there and wishes to hear a good news from
Biff, but Biff sadly tells him that he could not get the
loan. Biff realizes that he and his family have been
lying to each other. They are living in the illusion. They
leave their father at the restaurant who is busy in
dreaming and reliving the past.
- When Biff and Happy return home, their mother is
mad at them for being so careless about their father
and leaving him alone at the restaurant. An argument
starts among the family. No one is ready to listen to
the other, but Biff tells that he cannot live according to
his father's expectation which is just a failure. He tells
them all that they are living in a lie. They are running
away from the ground reality. They fear to face the
bitter truth about their life.
- Willy realizes that though Biff is a failure like him, he
loves him much. Distressed and frustrated, he decides
to commit suicide so that the insurance money could
be some use to Biff to start a new business. Within a
few minutes, he commits suicide. Linda feels so
strange that though her husband is well liked by all
employees why no-one attends his funeral. Biff feels
sorry for his mother who is still living in an illusion. He
decides to be honest to himself, but, unfortunately
Happy wants to follow the footprint of his father.