Act Two
English Lit: AQA A Level Death of a Salesman, topic 7.1.2
Act Two: The Present
In the present and the final few hours of Willy's life, a series of calamities push him to his final act.
The present
- In the present, events soon begin to spiral downwards.
- We move outside of the Loman home to Howard’s office, Charley’s office and the restaurant. In each new setting, a new calamity occurs.
The present cont.
- Willy is effectively sacked from his job, refuses a job offer from Charley and is then abandoned by his sons.
- The play moves swiftly towards its climax – Willy’s final confrontation, back home, with Biff.
- It is after this that Willy decides on his final act.
Act Two: The Past
Willy’s memories and imaginings intrude into the present at an ever faster rate, eventually overwhelming him.
The past
- As the play moves towards its final act of tragedy, Willy’s memories and imaginings intrude into the present at an ever faster rate:
- Young Bernard announcing that “Biff flunked Math!”
- The voice of the telephone operator.
- Biff entering the Boston hotel room.
- Ben’s entrance.
The past cont.
- Each and every one overwhelms Willy.
- He has less and less control over his mind and, as “sounds, faces, voices, seem to be swarming in upon him”, each memory propels him closer towards his self-destruction.
Requiem
The short final scene allows Willy’s family, and the audience, to reflect on Willy’s life.
Interpretations
- The Requiem offers competing judgements, leaving the play (and Willy’s life) open to interpretation and argument:
- Biff rejects Willy’s values.
- Happy vows to fight on.
The mood
- The play ends as it began, with the sound of a flute, but the mood at the play’s close is one of almost overwhelming sadness.
Test yourself on Act Two
Setting Changes in Act Two
What is the climax of Act Two?
What does Young Bernard announce in Willy's memory?
How does the play begin and end?
The play ends with the sound of a flute. When else do we hear the sound of a flute?