Act One: The Woman Quotes
English Lit: AQA A Level Death of a Salesman, topic 11.2.6
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.
Test yourself on Act One: The Woman Quotes
What is a “scrim”?
How can we tell that Willy finds validation in the Woman’s ‘choosing’ him?
What does the Woman compliment Willy on?