Day 80!

Questions pages 94-139

1. Why doesn’t Willy take the job working for Charley? Why will he take money from him, but not a job offer?
2. Charley says an important line when he states, “Willy, when’re you gonna realize that them things don’t mean anything? You named him Howard, but you can’t sell that. The only thing you got in this world is what you can sell.” What can you infer from this statement?
3. At the restaurant, Happy urged Biff not to tell Willy the truth about what happened with Mr. Oliver. Do you think this was the best time for Biff to choose to finally be honest with his father? Why or Why not?
4. When we first meet Stanley at the restaurant, he demonstrates values that are similar to Happy’s. But, after the boys leave, how does Stanley show that he is superior to Happy
5. Linda finally blows up and tells the boys she wants them away from the house forever. What are her motives in doing this? Do you agree with her actions?
6. What ideas, values, or motifs run through these final scenes?
7. In what ways has Biff changed? Explain the irony which ties the new Biff to causes for Willy’s suicide.
8. Ben says, “Time!” and it is as though Willy’s time is up. Ben now seems to be purely an extension of Willy, and the two characters blend together. How would this be appropriate?
9. What is meant by “Requiem”?
10. Linda points out the lack of people at the funeral. It is at this point that some people consider her to be a truly pathetic figure of a woman. Why might they say that?
11. Explain one example of irony from the final scene. 
12. Why do you think Arthur Miller chose a salesman?
13. How does this play relate to our world and to our lives? What societal values embodied in this play still exist today?
14. How can we avoid Willy’s lifestyle, values, and problems?How important are an individual’s dreams? Should our dreams influence all aspects of our lives? Explain