Death of a Salesman (Beginning)

Death of a Salesman (Beginning)

The Death of a Salesman written by Arthur Miller is a play about the salesman's life and problems. The salesman Willy is a father of 2 sons and a husband to Linda his wife. They live in the suburbs outside of New York. The play takes place in the depression of the 1930's in America. 

In the beginning of Act One Willy arrives home to a worried Linda Loman and you can tell by their conversation a few things about their family, and relationship. Clearly the reader can tell Linda and Willy Loman are not getting along very well, and the author hints at the fact that Willy may have a mental problem because of his accidents he has had with cars, and that they argue over what kind of cheese Linda bought. You also find out about there son Biff Loman a hardworking, attractive male in America and that he is lost in his life unable to find work or take up a career that he is interested in. This troubles Willy tremendously and he decides he will have his son get a job being a salesman with him. Another problem in the Loman's life is that Willy has to travel far to New England because he is no longer needed in New York by his company. Biff and Happy are brothers and are troubled by their father's driving "accidents" and talk about how they are back living in their old house again and have a conversation about women in their life. Willy also tells Billy about his dream of living in a ranch and then he can finally have a job he likes to do. Willy tells Biff and Happy about his idea to bring them into the salesman business and exaggerates his job in New England saying things like "I have friends in New England. I can park my car in any street and the cops protect it like their own." And America is filled with beautiful towns and fine, upstanding people." (Pg 19.) Biff and Happy are elated to go and promise to go with him in the summer, they'll even carry his bags for him.  After being told by Biff's friend Bernard that Biff is failing math and may flunk the year Willy flips out and forces Bernard to leave and argues with Linda about it. Charley offers Willy a job and feels offended and the two argue slightly before Uncle Ben comes and has a conversation about his job in Alaska to both of the boys. Ben, Linda, and Willy are talking about a diamond watch and then Willy goes outside in his slippers and Biff talks to his mom about Willy's problems and she says they shouldn't do anything about them. Biff, Linda, and Happy begin to argue about Willy and Linda try's to defend him while Biff says he treated her like crap and never had any respect for her. Linda calls him a bum and Biff promises to get a job and says he won't argue wit Willy anymore. Readers also find out that Willy kicked Biff out before and that Linda misses the old times. Readers also discover that Willy's lost all his responsibilities in his company since the older men who use to run it died. Willy overhears the argument from outside and is offended and tells Biff that he needs to grow up or get out. And the conversation ends as everyone heads to bed and Willy and Linda have a conversation in bed before the curtain falls and Act One is concluded.