This is an in-depth summary of all quotations in Death of a Salesman for A level AQA English Literature. Refer to Bundle for all info on Death of a Salesman. It is everything you need for any essay question on Death of a Salesman. just memorize and regurgitate: it’s what got me an A*
“You work a lifetime to pay off a house, you The tragic irony of the American Dream, material
finally own it and there’s nobody to live in it” possessions eventually amount to nothing in death
“It’s a measly manner of existence… to suffer Alliterative, evocative verb ‘suffered’, reality of the
fifty weeks a year… when all you desire is to American Dream, brutal. Cannot follow actual dreams,
be outdoors” natural world
“You end up worth more dead than alive” The comparative here=cathartic and pathetic
“Will you take that phony dream of yours and
Biff is in a state of despair
burn it”
Metaphor for Willy’s blindness, metaphorically looking for
“A diamond, shining in the dark, hard and a diamond (symbolic of material wealth) in the darkness
Blindness rough” (death) – He commits suicide for family’s future through
Hamartia insurance money
Identity Symbolism here, no foundation or roots for his family or
“I’ve got to get some seeds… Nothing’s
American himself, Willy’s efforts to cultivate children in vain, no
planted.”
Dream legacy. He is ‘planted in the ground’ in death
Capitalism Repetition, short indicative sentence, W’s visions were
“He had the wrong dreams. All, all wrong.”
incorrect, cause of tragic fall
Tragic reality and irony of the piece, Linda alone. She
“I made the last payment on the house today… repeats “free”, Willy is free of American Dream, Linda dree
And there’ll be nobody home” “we’re free” through money, but also, tragically ironic, she is not free,
needs breadwinner, deprived of father, put all effort in
“The same tragedy (of Willy) awaits Happy” says Miller.
“I’m gonna beat this racket!...He (Willy) had
Exclamatory metaphor racket + assertion that Willy was
good dreams
on right path = Happy perpetuate capitalism = pessimism
“Dave Singleman” “the death of a salesman” – He is the ideal, but ironically, the etymology of his name
his family and Charley came, he was too suggests isolation rather than happiness through
blinded to realise their worth over business capitalism.
“I’m vital in New England” Ironic, he is certainly not ‘vital’
“He’s liked but he’s not well liked” Being well-liked, intrinsically linked with American Dream
Godly imagery and simile should certainly not apply to his
Blindness Happy and Biff = “both built like Adonises” sons who are “too rough with the girls”, suggesting their
Tragic hero misogyny
Imagined “Biff is a lazy bum”, “he’s not lazy” Juxtaposition, Willy deflects Linda’s criticism of his
height harangue against Biff’s lack of material success, and his
Self-Delusion second allows him to hold on to hope that he may be
“I’ll have my own business”, he “met the successful. Willy changes his interpretation of reality
Contradiction mayor” according to his psychological needs - flashbacks
Tragic aspect of identity loss, fricatives provoking pathos,
“the man didn’t know who he was” tone of a plea. His job defines his, when is fired, he loses
runs of self in a world where capitalism runs supreme
“I still feel - temporary about myself” He has been alienated. No worth, abandoned.
“I’m tired to the death”, “the man is exhausted” Constance foreshadowing of Willy’s death, he is drained,
Abandonment “He’s dying Biff…trying to kill himself” mentally instable, flashbacks, confused train of thought
Tragic victim
“I was terribly lonely” (To Biff affair scene) Deep isolation, wants to be well-like, false dream
Identity
Suffering “the woods are burning… I was fired today” Loss of identity in world where capitalism = supreme
Isolation Tragic irony, he is not coming back, she is left alone in a
“just on another trip”
Failure world where capitalism runs supreme, with a fail child (H)
Abandonment issues as
father and brother left him, as
well as his son. Wants to be
“I’ve got to get some seeds… Nothing’s plated” No roots, no legacy, nothing. Metaphor for unsuccess
liked
“I’m a dime a dozen” Metaphor, alliteration, lack of success
“We’re free” “Dave Singleman” “that funeral will Tragic irony, they are not free, Willy did not die a worthy
be massive!... I am known” “Where are all the death, never realises the falsity of dream = pathos, Linda
people he knew?” all alone in male dominated world, with a failing son (H)
How used & abused he is, capitalism has eaten him and
“you don’t eat an orange and throw away the
thrown the remnants away btw you do throw the peel
peel – a man is not a piece of fruit” MARXIST
away, he has been alienated and dehumanised
“Dave Singleman” “the death of a salesman” Glorification of isolation, American dream
Hubris
Pride “Will you stop mending stockings” Offends Willy, he is not able to provide
Success “both built like Adonises” Excessive pride in his children
Reputation “I have friends” “Call out the name Willy Loman False pride, imperative and exclamatory show false
Respect and see what happens!” confidence
“Why must everyone like you?” (C) Charley is pushing Willy into reality here, interrogative
“I flunked maths” – Amer. Dre. Formula A metaphor=all of Biff’s failings, his subversion of formula
Modal verbs suggest his irrationality, cannot justify his
“I can’t work for you, that’s all, don’t ask me
actions - Willy could have had a positive reversal of
why” “don’t insult me”
fortune, but his hubris got in the way
Gender Stockings - symbol =Willy’s failure in providing for family+Linda mending relationship+and love affair
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