11.2.6
Act One: The Woman Quotes
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The Woman - Quotations
Miller uses many theatrical devices to recreate Willy’s first memory of the Woman with whom he had an affair with in Boston. Here are some key quotations relating to that memory:
“Scrim”
- Music and stage design are used to recreate Willy’s memory.
- A “scrim” (translucent curtain) is used at the left of the house to create the silhouette of the Woman as she intrudes into Willy’s thoughts.
"Handsomest man in the world"
- “Willy, darling, you’re the handsomest man in the world”.
- Linda saying this reminds Willy of the attention paid to him by the Woman.
- So his memories of the Woman are triggered by guilt.
"I get so lonely"
- “I get so lonely - especially when business is bad and there’s nobody to talk to”.
- Willy tells Linda of his loneliness on the road. This suggests his affair was borne out of loneliness.
"Stockings"
- “I won’t have you mending stockings in this house!”
- Not only do the stockings remind him of his infidelity and betrayal of Linda, but the fact that Linda has to mend them also reminds Willy of his failure as the family breadwinner.
"Laugh"
- The Woman's "laugh" is heard when Willy’s mind flits to young Bernard and Linda complaining about Biff’s behaviour.
- The audience will learn in Act Two how the Woman is connected to Biff in Willy’s mind.
Compliments and validation
- The Woman compliments Willy on his “sense of humour”.
- Willy repeats the question, “You picked me?”, finding validation in the Woman’s ‘choosing’ him.
1Introduction
1.1Introductions
2Act One
3Act Two
4Extended Passage Analysis
5Character Profiles
5.1Willy & Linda Loman
5.2Biff & Happy Loman
5.3Other Characters
6Key Themes
7Writing Techniques
7.1Structure
7.3Expressionism
8Historical Context
8.1Historical Context
9Literary Context
9.1Tragedy
10Critical Debates
10.1Introduction
10.2The Marxist Reading
10.3The Feminist Reading
10.4The Eco-Critical Reading
10.5Other Debates
11Recap: Main Quotes
11.1Characters Quotes
11.2Quotes by Act
11.2.1Act One: Key Events 1-3 Quotes11.2.2Act One: Key Events 4-6 Quotes11.2.3Act One: Key Events 7-9 Quotes11.2.4Act One: Key Events 10-12 Quotes11.2.5Act One: Stage Direction Quotes11.2.6Act One: The Woman Quotes11.2.7Act Two: Key Events 1-2 Quotes11.2.8Act Two: Key Events 3-4 Quotes11.2.9Act Two: Key Events 5-6 Quotes11.2.10Act Two: Key Events 7-8 Quotes11.2.11Act Two: Key Events 9-10 Quotes11.2.12Act Two: Howard's Office Quotes11.2.13Act Two: The Requiem Quotes
Jump to other topics
1Introduction
1.1Introductions
2Act One
3Act Two
4Extended Passage Analysis
5Character Profiles
5.1Willy & Linda Loman
5.2Biff & Happy Loman
5.3Other Characters
6Key Themes
7Writing Techniques
7.1Structure
7.3Expressionism
8Historical Context
8.1Historical Context
9Literary Context
9.1Tragedy
10Critical Debates
10.1Introduction
10.2The Marxist Reading
10.3The Feminist Reading
10.4The Eco-Critical Reading
10.5Other Debates
11Recap: Main Quotes
11.1Characters Quotes
11.2Quotes by Act
11.2.1Act One: Key Events 1-3 Quotes11.2.2Act One: Key Events 4-6 Quotes11.2.3Act One: Key Events 7-9 Quotes11.2.4Act One: Key Events 10-12 Quotes11.2.5Act One: Stage Direction Quotes11.2.6Act One: The Woman Quotes11.2.7Act Two: Key Events 1-2 Quotes11.2.8Act Two: Key Events 3-4 Quotes11.2.9Act Two: Key Events 5-6 Quotes11.2.10Act Two: Key Events 7-8 Quotes11.2.11Act Two: Key Events 9-10 Quotes11.2.12Act Two: Howard's Office Quotes11.2.13Act Two: The Requiem Quotes
Practice questions on Act One: The Woman Quotes
Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.
- 1What is a __“scrim”__?Multiple choice
- 2
- 3What does the Woman compliment Willy on?Multiple choice
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