Death of a SalesmanThe play shows a series of chronological events which take place during one evening and the next day. At intervals throughout the play we see scenes from Willy's past enacted on the same stage set at the same time. On first consideration this seems more likely to confuse than reveal, but Miller had very strong reasons for staging the play in this way. Miller believes that the past is not something which is now behind us ... he says the past is with us all the time, informing and influencing our actions and choices. If we are to understand Willy, we must be aware of the emotional burdens and the formative influences which he carries with him from the past. |
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Common terms and phrases
Alaska Arthur Miller Barry Hines BERNARD BERNARD BIFF and HAPPY BIFF HAPPY Biff Loman BIFF Oh Biff's Bill Oliver Boston Christina Reid comes dear dollars a week door dream Ebbets Field enters father forestage fountain pen GIRL goddam goes gonna gotta happened hear heard hell HOWARD Key Stage kitchen knock LETTA LINDA Biff LINDA Oh LINDA Willy Listen living living-room look Miller minute MISS FORSYTHE never nice offstage pick play Red Grange remember salesman sell sitting sleep slight pause smile stairs stop tell There's thing tomorrow tragic hero UNCLE BEN wait walk WILLY angrily WILLY HOWARD WILLY laughing Willy Loman WILLY moving WILLY Oh WILLY Sure WILLY That's WILLY turning WILLY What's WILLY Yeah Willy's WOMAN y'know YOUNG BERNARD