Friday, February 14, 2014
Biff Lohman
What does Biff discover about himself? How does this discovery affect his relationship with Willy? Does Biff's antagonism cause Willy's failure or merely intesify the failure he already experiences? How does what Biff learns in Boston influence his life? Why can't Biff be what his father wants him to be? Why does Biff steal things?
Linda Lohman
From the author's description at the start of the play, what do we know about Linda? What can we guess? Does she know about the Woman in Boston? What makes you think that she does or she doesn't? Why does she repeatedly enter with a load of wash? Does Linda help or hinder Willy in overlooking his small sales and his dishonest attempts to make them seem bigger? How else does she influence Willy?
Staging
What is the effect of having scenes from the past staged in addition to the current action of the play? How does it affect your understanding of the play?
Title
Why does Miller let us know in the title that Willy's death is coming? Why doesn't he make it a surprise? Is Willy's death in a car more or less appropriate than a suicide using the rubber hose on the water heater would be? Why? What harm does Willy's death do? What good?
Willy's Legacy
How is Willy's killing himself for the insurance money symptomatic of the way he has lived? What legacy does Willy leave for his family?
Willy's True Talents
Willy is proud of putting up the living room ceiling and making a cement porch. How is the image of working with his hands carried through the play?
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