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Death of a Salesman - Coggle Diagram
Death of a Salesman
Summary
Act One - Willy and Linda's conversation
Summary
Willy Loman returns home from work to his wife, Linda
Linda asks a series of questions about his day
Their discussion introduces some of the plays key concerns
Includes Willy's weariness
Fragile state of mind
Perpetual conflict with Biff
Willy continues reminiscing about the past
Analysis The red chevrolet reappears several times across the course of the play
The first voice we hear in the play strikes a note of anxiety
Linda calls Willy's name with "some trepidation"
Audiences are plunged into the anxieties of the Lowman's marriage
Willys unsympathetic to Linda's concerns and responds impatiently
Audiences aren't aware if Linda's worries are justified
Answers to Linda's questions are filled with a sense of the foreboding of tragedy
Willy describes himself as "tired to the death"
Various characters will attest to throughout the play
Willy reluctant to admit that his health is starting to affect his performance
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Linda's concerns for her husband become apparent
She gently coaxes and persuades him, removes his shoes and offers to feed him
Her tone is sympathetic and she is considerate of Willy's welfare
Willy takes her advances for granted, expressing little to no gratitude for her efforts
Willy's reference to the beautiful countryside environment introduces the motif of the natural world
"the trees are so thick"
This imagery represents the salesman's hopes and dreams
However, in Willy's present day life, nature is indicative of failure and frustration
Trees that he had formerly admired have been cut down and his efforts to grow vegetables in the backyard end in failure
Having her Sons Biff and Happy at home brings a rare source of pleasure for Linda
When Willy starts to think about his sons, his first thought is a depressing one
Believes that they do not want to live in the family house
Linda is more philosophical and tells Willy that "Life is a casting off"
Denial is a central part of Willy's experience
Every line of conversation is capable of starting a chain of renisicences
His memories often involve Biff and the happiness of his boyhood
When Linda intervenes in Willy's remembered world he becomes unreasonably angry
His anger seems childlike and inconsistent
Abruptly shifting from the focus of population growth to a pedantic quabble about whipped cheese
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When talking about Biff, Linda plays the role of the peacekeeper
Willy becomes angry over his sons perceived under achievement and way of life
Dismisses his son as a "Lazy Bum" but later contradicts himself
Willy is unable to seperate the past from the resent
Biff and Happy's conversation
Summary
In their room, the brothers discuss their past, including former relations with Women
They then begin to talk about their current lives, particularly Biffs inability to forge a successful career and their parents suffering
At the end of the section, Biff resolves to see Bill Oliver about a potential Job
The boys overhear Willy talking to himself.
Analysis
Biff and Happy worry about Willy's driving, but Happy demonstrates a childlike pride in his fathers excellent eyesight
Happy and Biff also seem to recall earlier days with pleasure
With regard to former sexual conquests, they appear slightly chauvanistic
Happy's casual remark that his first sexual partner was a "pig" might be seen as crude and offensive
Their talk of sexual prowess seems a lame conclusion to reminisces about "dreams and plans"
Linda's assessment of Biff as "lost" becomes increasingly justified and accurate
Happy has recognised this too, suggesting his brother has lost his confidence from when he was younger
Biffs inclination is geared towards outdoor activities
This passion for the natural world serves as a form of conflict for Biff as he feels as if he needs to follow Willy's way of life.
Happy is capable of contradicting himself like his Father
Happy's role in the play is less significant than his brothers
The brothers respond differently to their fathers eccentric murmerings
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Happy's life is very different from his brothers
More parallel to Willy's way of life
Wants to follow the more natural way of life like Biff -
Speaks about how "lonely" he is despite his numerous affairs and the amount of money he earms.
Willy and Charley / Uncle Ben
Summary
Happy appears in pyjamas and we return to the present moment.
A brief discussion with his father occurs and Happy returns to bed while Willy plays cards with Charley
The interaction is overlapped by an imaginary conversation with Uncle Ben
Analysis
According to Willy, Ben "walked into a jungle and came out rich."
However, Willy says "The woods are burning"
Communicates the sense of impending disaster
Woods may recall Bens jungle and the opportunities that Ben found there
Functions as a subtle reminder of Willys love for the natural world.
Charley seems relatively content and empathetic towards Willy
Willy is instinctively hostile
Telling Charley "A man who can't handle tools is not a man"