Chapter Summary of Death of a Salesman - Study Guide by Arthur Miller

ecstatic and gets carried away with Biff’s preparations for the interview. Biff and Willy argue again, however, after Willy shouts at Linda.

Act 1 Part 11 (c.1942)

Linda joins Willy in the bedroom. He descends into a deep depression. Biff and Happy enter to bid their parents goodnight. Willy is obsessed by Biff’s meeting with Bill Oliver and continues to give him advice. At the end of the act, Biff descends into the kitchen and removes the rubber tube from the gas mains. There is a sense of the morbid and ominous claustrophobia of the apartment as the act closes.

Act 2 Part 1 (c.1942)

Biff has gone to see Bill Oliver and Willy sleeps in late. Willy is in buoyant mood, considering buying some seeds (the audience is made to feel that this points to a non-suicidal frame of mind - he is planting something which he will harvest in the future). Linda reminds him that although they have bills to pay, the next payment on the mortgage will be their last, and finally they will own the house. Biff speaks to Linda on the telephone, and she tells him how happy Willy is.

Act 2 Part 2 (c.1942)

Willy is visiting Howard, the head of the Wagner Company, to ask for a job in New York. Howard tells Willy that he couldn’t find him a place. Willy pleads with Howard, reminding him of his long service and the promises Howard’s father had made to him. Willy gets angry and Howard departs. When Howard comes back in, Willy says he is quite happy to work in Boston. Howard rejects this and says that he can’t represent the company anymore. He suggests that Willy might ask his sons for help. The changing world that excludes the dreaming salesman becomes clear to the audience.

Act 2 Part 3 (Dream)

Ben appears to Willy. He is in a terrible rush. Ben again offers Willy a job in Alaska, but Linda tells Willy that he has great prospects at the Wagner Company. Willy tries to explain to Ben the satisfaction he gets from his job:

"that’s the wonder, the wonder of this country, that a man can end with diamonds here on the basis of being liked!" Ben leaves as Willy becomes increasingly hysterical.

Act 2 Part 4 (c.1928)

The young Bernard rushes in. They are all going to watch Biff in his big football game. Charley and Willy argue.

Act 2 Part 5 (c.1942)

Willy has gone to visit Charley in the City. Bernard’s secretary tells him that Willy is outside talking to himself. Bernard shows many signs of affluence and Willy asks him what the secret is. He wonders why Biff couldn’t make a success of himself. Bernard remembers that once Biff went to visit Willy in Boston. When he came back, the two fought a great deal and Biff seemed unhappy. Willy tells Bernard not to talk like that.

Act 2 Part 6 (c.1942)

Charley enters and tells Willy that Bernard is going to the Supreme Court to plead a case. Charley offers Willy a job, but Willy refuses, saying that he already has one. Willy finally confesses to having been sacked, and Charley again offers him a job, and tells him that being well-liked is not that important. Willy says that a man is worth more dead than alive. Charley gives Willy some money to pay his insurance and Willy leaves.