Key Events 1&2
English Lit: AQA A Level Death of a Salesman, topic 3.1.1
Act Two: Key Event One
Act 2 opens with a sense of optimism in the Loman household. The sons have already left the house and both Willy and Linda are convinced that Biff is “heading for a change”.
Key event one
- Linda tells Willy of their sons’ plan to take Willy out for “a big meal” at Frank’s Chop House at the end of the day.
Significance
- The news fills Willy with hope and a determination to “knock Howard for a loop”.
- He is convinced he will be able to secure an advance and a job in New York.
Quotation
- “I will never get behind the wheel the rest of my life!”
Explanation
- Once again, Willy is quick to delude himself.
- There is also a dark irony in the quote above as Act Two, and Willy’s life, will end with him behind the wheel again.
Act Two: Key Event Two
Act 2 opens with a sense of optimism in the Loman household. The sons have already left the house and both Willy and Linda are convinced that Biff is “heading for a change”.
Key event two
- Willy arrives in Howard’s office determined to make his case.
- However he is put off his stride by Howard's demonstration of his new toy, the wire recorder.
Significance
- The power imbalance between Howard and Willy is shown in Howard’s shushing of Willy as he tries to argue for a salary and New York post.
- Indeed, Howard gets frustrated at Willy’s attempts to take the lead in the conversation.
Quotation
- “HOWARD: You didn’t crack up again, did you?”
Explanation
- Howard’s line confirms that Willy’s psychological troubles have affected his work and are known about in the company.
- However, the deeper significance of the line lies in its blunt and unsympathetic tone.
Explanation cont.
- Howard’s hard-headedness reveals the ruthless “business is business” mind-set of modern capitalism where “everybody’s gotta pull his own weight”.
- There is no room for Willy’s values of “friendship” or “personality” in such an environment.
Test yourself on Key Events 1&2
What is Willy determined to do at the beginning of Act Two?
Act Two Death of a Salesman
Act Two: Death of a Salesman