It explores the psychological chaos of the protagonist, and the capitalist society's impact on his life. The play contains a variety of themes, such as the American Dream, the anatomy of truth, and betrayal. It is a two-act tragedy set in 1940s New York told through a montage of memories, dreams, and arguments of the protagonist Willy Loman, a travelling salesman who is disappointed with his life, and appears to be slipping into senility. The play premiered on Broadway in February 1949, running for 742 performances. Bernard leaves the house, and Linda leaves the room, holding back tears.Late 1940s Willy Loman's house New York City and Barnaby River Bostonĭeath of a Salesman is a 1949 stage play written by American playwright Arthur Miller.
![death of a salesman summary act 1 death of a salesman summary act 1](https://www.coursehero.com/thumb/b1/61/b16184a57e8b21926cf3ca33ce930f1c1db623eb_180.jpg)
He notices Linda mending stockings and angrily demands that she throw them out-he is too proud to let his wife wear an old pair (Biff later discovers that Willy has been buying new stockings for The Woman instead of for Linda).The Woman fades into the darkness as Willy returns to his conversation with Linda in the present.She thanks Willy for giving her stockings and promises to put him right through to the buyers when she sees him next.She tells him that she picked him because he is so funny and sweet.
![death of a salesman summary act 1 death of a salesman summary act 1](https://study.com/cimages/videopreview/millers_death_of_a_salesman_summary_and_analysis_104529.jpg)
![death of a salesman summary act 1 death of a salesman summary act 1](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ps2hkSRmXaQ/mqdefault.jpg)
In Willy’s daydream, they sit in a hotel room.The Woman is Willy’s mistress and a secretary for one of his buyers.Just as he tells her that he misses her terribly when he is on the road, The Woman’s laughter sounds from the darkness.As Linda assures him that he is the handsomest man ever, Willy replies that she is his best friend in the world.Willy thinks people laugh at him for being too fat he once punched a man for joking about his “walrus” physique. His jealousy of his neighbour becomes painfully clear.He explains that Charley earns respect because he is a man of few words. Willy complains that he talks and jokes too much. Linda tells him that he is successful enough.In a rare moment of lucidity and self-criticism, Willy moans that he cannot move ahead because people do not seem to like him.The $70 commission is barely adequate to cover the family’s expenses. Under questioning, he admits that he grossed only $200. Linda quickly figures his commission at over $200. Still in his daydream of 15 years ago, Willy brags to Linda that he made $1,200 in sales that week.Willy tells them that Bernard may make good grades, but Happy and Biff will be more successful in business because they are “well liked.”.The boys reply that he is liked but not “well liked.” After Bernard leaves, Willy asks if Bernard is liked.Bernard states that the sneakers do not mean Biff will graduate. Biff distracts him by showing him that he printed the insignia of the University of Virginia on his sneakers, impressing Willy.Biff is close to failing math, which would prevent him from graduating. Charley’s son, Bernard, arrives to beg Biff to study math with him.Willy whispers that he will soon open a bigger business than his successful neighbour Uncle Charley because Charley is not as “well liked” as he is.Happy tries to get his father’s attention, but Willy’s preference for Biff is obvious.
![death of a salesman summary act 1 death of a salesman summary act 1](https://i.pinimg.com/736x/c0/9e/c3/c09ec3a05e65bff1e9565609a870fbfa--sequence-of-events-summary.jpg)
Biff informs Willy that he “borrowed” a football from the locker room to practice.Young Biff and Happy wash and wax their father’s car after he has just returned from a sales trip. Suddenly, the memories of his sons’ childhood come alive.