Death of a Salesman Act 2

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Pages 55-64

Willy appears to actually take notice of Linda now

  • Irony - Willy says 'Gee!' - something he previously said was a 'boy's word'
  • There's irony too in the way that Willy says, 'I'll raise some vegetables, a couple of chickens', something he criticises Biff for pursuing, claiming he's a 'lazy bum'
  • The motif of the stockings causes Willy to feel the pressure of guilt - 'It gets me nervous, I can't tell you. Please.'
  • Even without Willy's knowledge there are external pressures placed upon him; he doens't know that Linda has told Biff, Willy 'may have big news'
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Pages 65-75

  • Irony - there is an atmosphere of false hope; none of this will happen, the 'short business trip', the 'timberland' that Ben needs Willy to 'look after things' for. 
  • Linda says that 'he's got a beautiful job here', and says to Willy that 'you're doing well enough'
  • This clearly shows how Willy blames Linda for what he has become, but also that he is aware of his position, and that Linda is too
  • Willy is overwhelmed to see what Bernard has become, and that he's starting a family; 'Two boys! What do you know!'
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Pages 76-84

  • Charley offers Willy a job, which he refuses. Charley is angered, 'Im'm no genius, but I know when I'm being insulted'
  • Willy cannot accept his help and he feels belittled by Charley's success
  • 'why must everybody like you?'
  • 'Charley, you're the only friend I got'
  • Restaurant scene - Happy has some authority. When he sees the woman enter, he says to Stanley, 'wait on her', and immediatley Stanley is 'going to the girl's table'
  • Happy believes business success has sex appeal - 'don't mention it, it's all company money'
  • There is a subtle admission from Willy that he is a failure, to his own sons - 'I was fired'
  • The audience begins to feel sympathy for Willy 
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Pages 85-94

  • Willy has a lack of confidence in Biff, but as to why, we still don't know - 'you insulted him, didn't you?' and 'If you hadn't flunked math you'd've been set by now!'
  • Stockings used to symbolise what Willy can't have, both physically and financially
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Pages 95-109

  • Linda moves from being angry to 'suddenly pleading' as Biff continues to threaten to find Willy
  • Willy's devotion to Linda is shown here, as he begins to speak about a 'guranteed twenty-thousand dollar proposition'
  • The tubing symbolises the secret, suicidal thoughts Willy has and how they have now been exposed to everyone
  • There is a kind of catharsis when Biff breaks down in tears and Willy remarks that, 'he likes me!'
  • When Willy does leave, it's not done obviously, but instead rather subtly; 'there is the sound of a car starting and moving away at full speed', to which Linda cries, 'No!'
  • There comes a poignant end to the frenzy and rush of the play, as only the 'soft pulsation of a single cello string' can be heard 
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