Death of a Salesman Summary and Analysis

Author: Arthur Miller

Setting, Plot, Characters: Death of a Salesman is set in 1940s New York City and focuses on the deteriorating life of Willy Loman. His sons, Biff and Happy are staying with Willy and his wife Linda. At the beginning, Willy is returning from a failed road trip. He was supposed to go to Boston, but was not capable of making the drive. While Willy discuses this with Linda, Biff and Happy are talking about the escapades of the day. Through the whole play, the action keeps going back and forth between the present and Willy's flashbacks. After a few of these, Willy is seen talking to himself. Linda reveals that these flashbacks have been occurring with increasing frequency, especially when the boys are in town. Biff tells Willy that he plans to meet with his old boss, Bill Oliver, the next day in order to ask for a business loan. Willy immediately perks up at this idea and offers Biff advice. The next morning, Willy has a meeting with his boss, Howard, asking for a non-traveling job. Howard denies the request and eventually fires Willy. Distraught, Willy goes to his neighbor Charley's office to borrow money. There, he encounters Bernard, Charley's son and Biff's high school friend. After leaving the office, Willy goes to meet Biff and Happy for dinner where they abandon him in the restaurant bathroom. When Biff and Happy return to the house, they find Willy attempting to plant a garden in the backyard. After much discussion, Willy leaves and crashes his own car, effectively killing himself. The subsequent requiem shows Linda, Biff, Happy, Charley, and Bernard at Willy's funeral. The play closes on Linda repeating the words "We're free...."

Analysis: Much of the narrative voice is provided by Willy as he reminisces and speaks to himself. The tone could be described as sympathetic toward Willy and any man that finds himself trapped by the American Dream. Miller comes across as pitying those unfortunate enough to believe the American Dream is attainable through Willy's means. Seeds are a prominent symbol throughout the play. After leaving the restaurant, Willy reflects, "Nothing's planted. I don't have a thing in the ground." He then goes on to buy seeds and plant them in the backyard in the middle of the night. The seeds symbolize Willy's hopes and dreams, which can never be realized because the city suffocates him, much like it suffocates the plants. When Linda is repairing her stockings, it sends Willy into a fit of rage. For him, the stockings remind him of his own infidelity. They also represent his inclination toward things that appear new and whole.

Cool Quotes:
"He's liked, but he's not well liked."
This idea is constantly repeated. Willy believes that to be successful is to be well liked. He thinks that the only way to advance in the business world is to have connections and to be able to bond with people. Willy tries to instill this value in his sons, constantly asking if their actions receive the approval of their peers. This also connects to the motif of social prosperity that contributes to the theme of the play.
"The only thing you got in this world is what you can sell."
Charley's statement reflects both Willy's failure as a salesman and the inclination of American society toward consumerism. Charley, having achieved the idealized American Dream, sums up Willy's incapability to understand the purpose of his job. Willy does not understand that the goal is not to be well liked, but to sell. Charley speaks from the typical American point of view, making it clear that the only thing that matters in life is money.


THEME: The sense of entitlement for the idealized American Dream of financial and social prosperity can lead to tragedy.
Set in urban America, the play reflects an area which is often seen as housing the people that have achieved the American Dream. Living in the richer neighborhoods of New York City is a testament to the wealth and prosperity of an individual. The urban landscape, specifically the apartments, symbolizes how the increasing urbanization are crushing Willy's dreams. The title works to create the irony that although Willy dies, he does not die the prosperous death of a salesman that was part of his fantasy.