Death of a Salesman Discussion Quote
Towards the end of Ben's visit, Willy says, "Can't you stay a few days? You're just what I need, Ben, because I--I have a fine position here, but I--well, Dad left when I was such a baby and I never had a chance to talk to him and I still feel--kind of temporary about myself."
Through all of his reflection on his father and on the fact that he holds himself responsible for not going with Ben despite not being even four years old, Willy shows that not having a solid male role model really impacted his life. How did this affect his parenting while he was raising his sons? How does this affect the relationship he has with his sons as they are adults?
Through all of his reflection on his father and on the fact that he holds himself responsible for not going with Ben despite not being even four years old, Willy shows that not having a solid male role model really impacted his life. How did this affect his parenting while he was raising his sons? How does this affect the relationship he has with his sons as they are adults?
He wants them to like him, to be a good father...but he doesn't know how. He wants affirmation, but it's not available from any male role model above him. His kids didn't seem to have problems when kids, so he can't deal with their problems now.
ReplyDeleteHe poured himself into his kids...quote?
Abandoned by dad/brother
Seems caught up in his business, furthering himself, very prideful and insecure...covers his insecurity with pride (evidence?)
19 nervous about the game/"not if you're going to be there" so there WAS mutual respect
His flashbacks make things too rosy...do we trust them? Unreliable narrator
39 Linda and Biff... "Is this his reward?" She says he loved them. Is this a reliable account from Linda?
38 "Stop making excuses for him..." See Emma's blog
There is love...but ? She fits the homemaker American dream model.
Willy maybe wanted the dream ideal..but still is not satisfied.
Happy seems to be the only one achieving the dream.
But he's ignored... not even when he says "getting married"...but do they even believe him? (47)
Flashback--I'm losing weight, you notice, Pop?
Repetition in flashbacks reinforces unreliable narrator
Parallels: Biff & Happy, Willy & Ben
Foils Willy and charley
Happy the peacemaker? Or trying?
Similar to Linda?
Areas for problems in the past?
Not really liked by buyers?
Biff failing classes
Boys stealing
Biff was a leader/ladies' man but why not now?
Linda and Willy talking about bout money and bills--note his report of income goes down...lying to seem successful
Stockings...ironic that he gives the stockings to the other woman
Unrealistic expectations
Willy gives advice to be likable, but apparent that he's not successful, so doesn't know as much as he lets on?
Throughout the play...
ReplyDeleteHopelessness, directoinless
Appearance vs. reality
Also put on a front to each other?
Page 12 Biffs failure and Happys discontent