DOAS Requiem

Question 1

Requiem

Answer 1

. A mass for the dead/music composed for a mass
. Willy lived in secular world: nontraditional mass
. Tribute of Willy’s loved ones
. Aftermath of Willy’s death: hurt of loved ones
. Positive eulogy from Charley, apostrophe from Linda

Question 2

Effect of Requiem

Answer 2

. The boys, brought up to value athleticism, r frustrated by Willy’s goals for them in sales where nothing is easily measured/tangible - unlike sport
. Audience reminded of Willy’s insistence to Ben that his gift to Biff by his suicide will be tangible
. Symbols of seeds + tools: rep growth, leaving legacy
. Biff is outdoor side of W, Happy is sales side of W

Question 3

Linda’s response

Answer 3

. Abject: bewildered by her husband’s inexplicable suicide

. Speaks a direct apostrophe (direct address to an absent/imaginary person) to Willy

Question 4

Charley’s response

Answer 4

. Understands Willy’s deep seated frustrations
. Understands it was never just a question of money: “no man only needs a little salary”.
. W wanted respect, calling him “a happy man with a batch of cement” shows Charley understands
. Planting seeds contented Willy, not his work

Question 5

Biff’s response

Answer 5

. More realistic: “the man didn’t know who he was”
. “I know who I am” - Biff’s progress
. Like C, he understands W’s personality: “there’s more of him in that front stoop than in all the sales he ever made.”

Question 6

Happy’s response

Answer 6

. W’s death has made him more determined to “beat this racket!” and be successful
. Identifies as one of “The Loman brothers!” - Willy’s legacy lives on in him
. He doesn’t see that the same stubborn pride ruined his father

Question 7

Charley’s Eulogy

Answer 7

. Unites 2 sides of Willy’s personality
. Intangible salesman: “he don’t tell you the law or give you medicine. He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine”
. “When they start not smiling back - that’s an earthquake” - horror of Willy’s downfall

Question 8

“Nobody dast blame this man”

Answer 8

. Ultimate exoneration from a man who seemed to know W better than anyone else
. “A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory.”
. The eulogy shows that society is to blame, Willy’s flaws are not his own

Question 9

Linda’s Apostrophe

Answer 9

. Moving: flute “playing behind her speech” dreams
. Start of play flute played and Willy was hopeful
. Linda doesn’t cry, apologises, suggests reality of death hasn’t hit her: “I keep expecting you.”
. Her confusion over the death is touching

Question 10

Linda addresses their life

Answer 10

. “We’re free and clear” paid off mortgage
. Having Willy there would be better
. Play ends on a sad note with apostrophe - emphasising Linda’s loneliness + confusion
. Resigned acceptance of Willy’s death

Question 11

Final Stage Direction

Answer 11

. B + H support Linda, she isn’t alone
. They’ve deserted before, might be temporary
. Linda sobs - acceptance of death
. Flute: haunting reminder of Willy’s dreams
. “the hard towers of the apartment buildings” - Willy’s dreams were never realistic, victim of capitalism