DOAS

Question 1

What two reasons might Willy have for not wanting Linda to mend the stockings?

Answer 1

1. Guilt over his affair

2. Mending stockings which make her look poor and, by implication, make Willy look unsuccessful.

Question 2

When does Willy’s first flashback of the woman come?

Answer 2

Following the scene where Willy admits ‘people don’t seem to take to me’.

Question 3

Why might this be?

Answer 3

He is remembering a time when someone did take to him, to compensate.

Question 4

Why does willy daydream?

Answer 4

To compensate for the harsh reality in which is he is living by reminding him of more optimistic moments and seeking refuge in them.

Question 5

What does Willy’s love affair reveal about him?

Answer 5

His lack of integrity- he cannot stay faithful to one woman who stays completely faithful to him.

Question 6

How might the audience react to it?

Answer 6

A conflict between sympathy and despising him for his lack of faithfulness to such an amazing woman.

Question 7

What was DOAS originally called?

Answer 7

‘The Inside of his head’

Question 8

What does Miller’s use of dramatic structure explore?

Answer 8

The workings of Willy’s mind.

Question 9

What does the manipulation of time mirror?

Answer 9

Willy’s fragile and confused state of mind.

Question 10

How does this impact the audience?

Answer 10

It is disoreintating to watch, a more intense viewing.

Question 11

Why are the dream sequences important?

Answer 11

They show that Willy is unable to distinguish between truth and fantasy and explains his erratic behaviour in he present.

Question 12

One example of montage?

Answer 12

‘The woman bursts out laughing and Linda’s laughing blends in.’

Question 13

Why is montage used?

Answer 13

The layering of sounds creates a disorientating effect, reflective of Willy’s mental state.

Question 14

What do all the methods used by Miller make the play?

Answer 14

Expressionistic in nature.

Question 15

What does expressionistic mean?

Answer 15

Greater emphasis on Willy’s emotional and psychological experience, as opposed to his reality.

Question 16

In what way is the play cyclical?

Answer 16

Starts and ends with the same setting : ‘a solid vault of apartment houses around the small, fragile-seeming home’. End: ‘the apartment buildings rise into sharp focus’.

Question 17

What is the impact of this?

Answer 17

As the apartment buildings are present in the stage directions at the beginning and at the ending of the play, it could be interpreted to be representative of the thriving capitalism, and consumerism of post-war America in the 1950s. Therefore, as they are opening and closing the play, it could be implied that capitalism and consumerism are all-consuming, powerful, undefeated forces. Despite Willy’s attempts to stand up to these forces ad face them, he has been unsuccessful as by the end of the play, Willy has died, but the apartment buildings are still standing. –> In his article ‘Tragedy and the Common Man’, Miller’s discusses how the play fits into the tragic genre- protagonist fighting against forces beyond his control.

Question 18

The Requiem analysis

Answer 18

Arguably the point which defines the play as a tragedy, as it forms the resolution. It dramatises the failure of Willy’s dream and and it is only here that he is established as a tragic hero. This is a downfall that the audience have witnessed and experienced with him. Inclusion of the tragic element of pathos, catharsis with Linda crying at the grave ‘We’re free….’

Question 19

What could Miller be suggesting by the requiem?

Answer 19

Perhaps Miller is suggesting that the world has betrayed Willy, encouraging him to believe in dreams and improving himself but ultimately refusing to reward him, instead reminding him constantly that he is insignificant.

Question 20

Setting analysis

Answer 20

The house=Willy. It is described to be small, insignificant and vulnerable compared the towering and daunting outside world. Therefore, it could be seen as symbolic of Willy’s character himself and the fragility of the family unit. The ‘towering’ ‘angular’ shapes surrounding the house also suggest entrapment. The world beyond looms and engulfs the house, just as capitalist America consumes and overwhelms Willy.

Question 21

Most important context points

Answer 21

• The great influence of the American Dream and the rise of materialism, consumerism and big business in America. There was a real pressure to succeed in America at the time.
• Miller’s father lost his business during the Great Depression (1929); his family had little money and moved to Brooklyn…the Loman family also live in Brooklyn and have little money.

Question 22

Who is Willy representative of?

Answer 22

The common ‘every’ man, the masses.

Question 23

What is the question that Willy asks ben in a flashback that tortures him?

Answer 23

How did you do it?

Question 24

Which scene shows Willy is unable to distinguish between past and present?

Answer 24

Ben card game

Question 25

What is Bens purpose in the play?

Answer 25

To reinforce Willy’s ideas.

Question 26

Which quote shows how temporary and fragile good times at the start of act 2?

Answer 26

‘Buttoning up his jacket as he unbuttons it’

Question 27

How do the stage directions at the start of Act 2 show good times are fragile?

Answer 27

Willy’s somewhat changed, and happy, hopeful mental state and claims he is going to ‘knock Howard for a loop’ are injected by stage directions showing he’s very much not in control of himself.

Question 28

What does Willy’s desire to pass on twenty thousand dollars to biff show?

Answer 28

He died still believing the capitalism doctrine that the main aim in life is the acquisition of wealth- almost like one final business transaction.

Question 29

As an alternative to tragedy. what could DOAS be seen as?

Answer 29

A social drama- society is to blame and Willy is the victim.

Question 30

How can Willy be seen from a psycoanalytical perspective?

Answer 30

• Willy’s repression of the past is a barrier to maturity.

- Willy’s dream sequences are manifestations of unacknowledged desires.

Question 31

In what way might we sympathise with Willy?

Answer 31

As he is a ‘common man’, Willy’s attack on consumer society is very relevant to our lives. In this way, we might also credit Willy for his observations about consumerism.