Act Two: Key Events 3-4 Quotes
English Lit: AQA A Level Death of a Salesman, topic 11.2.8
Act Two: Key Events 3-4
Here are two quotations showing key events in Act Two:
Key quotation 3
- Willy reaches out to Ben. He remembers the example of Dave Singleman, the salesman who died at 84 years old after a career of success, a man who was “remembered and loved and helped by so many people”.
- “... and that’s the wonder, the wonder of this country, that a man can end with diamonds here on the basis of being liked!”
- The metaphor “diamonds” is a deliberate reference to the source of Ben’s wealth. Willy is trying to tell Ben that he can equal his brother’s success.
Key quotation 4
- Willy asks Charley for money but turns down Charley’s offer of a job.
- “Charley, you’re the only friend I got. Isn’t that a remarkable thing?”
- Willy has a rare moment of self-discovery at the end of this ‘scene’, admitting how hollow his boasts of popularity have been.