Death of a Salesman
Death of a SalesmanShort Plot
In the beginning of the play, the main character, Willy Lowman,
has just returned home after finding himself unable to concentrate on
driving. His wife, Linda, suggests that he ask for a job in New York
so that he won't have to drive so much. Willy insists, however, that
it is vital to his company that he work in New England. Willy asks
Linda about his son, Biff, who has just come home after being away for
several years. He can't understand why Biff is unable to get a good
job. Soon Willy begins thinking about when Biff was a senior in high
school. He remembers how Biff was the star of the football team and
how he was offered scholarships from several colleges. After Willy's
daydream ends, Charley comes in to play cards with him. While they are
playing cards Charley offers Willy a job, but Willy refuses. As they
are talking, Willy's brother, Ben, appears to him in an illusion.
Willy tries to talk to both of them at once and Charley can't
understand. Willy and Charley get into an argument and Charley leaves.
Willy then turns his attention to Ben and asks him how he became so
successful. Ben tells Willy that he went into the jungle when he was
seventeen and when he came out at twenty-one he was rich.
After Biff overhears Willy talking to himself, he asks Linda
what's wrong with him. Linda explains that Willy is exhausted and
has even tried to kill himself. When Willy enters the scene, Happy
tries to cheer him up by announcing that he and Biff are going to
start their own sporting goods company. He tells Willy that Biff is
going to see Bill Oliver in the morning and ask for a loan. Willy is
optimistic and reminds Biff that the most important things in life are
to be well-liked and to have personal attractiveness.
The next day Willy decides to ask his boss, Howard, if he can
have a job in New York. Howard explains that there is no room for him
in New York, and then tells Willy that he no longer wants him to
represent the company. Now that Willy has no job, he must ask Charley
for the money to pay his insurance premium. When Charley finds out
that Willy has been fired, he offers him a good job in New York, but
Willy refuses. Charley gives Willy the money and then Willy leaves to
meet Biff and Happy at a restaurant.
When Willy arrives at the restaurant, Biff tries to explain to
him that he has been living an illusion and will never amount to
anything extraordinary. Willy refuses to listen to him and pretends
that Biff has another appointment for the next day. When Biff
tries to make Willy face the truth, Willy becomes furious and goes off
to the bathroom. Biff...
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