1. The play gets its title from Willy’s inspiration to be a traveling salesman, Dave Singleman. “He died the death of a salesman.” What does that tell us about Willy?

2. What has gone wrong with Willie’s life, and is he to blame or the society in which he lives?

3. What do you make of Linda?  Is she a noble character, loving to her husband, having a larger, more mature perspective than her other family members (especially her sons)? Or do you see her as passive, enabling, ultimately less than helpful to her family?

4. The sound of a flute begins and ends the play. “It is small and fine, telling of grass and trees and the horizon.” What is the flute’s association and significance?

5. What work alternatives to the traveling sales life are presented in the play, and what is their significance? Consider Willie’s father, Ben, and Biff.

6. What is the American Dream, and what does this play say about it?

7. How are Biff and Happy different?

8. Why is Happy such a womanizer?

9. Does the play seem dated?

Notes:

For #7, note the following:  By the end of the play, Biff seems to have had an epiphany. “He had all the wrong dreams. All, all, wrong.” Happy, almost ready to fight Biff: “Don’t say that!” Biff: “He never knew who he was.” A few lines later: “I know who I am, kid.”