Summary & Commentary
Death of a Salesman
Act 1, Willy’s Homecoming
Summary
Death of a Salesman begins in the home of Willy Loman. Willy returns home exhausted from his latest sales excursion. He worries because he is having difficulty remembering events, as well as staying focused on the road. His wife, Linda, reassures him that he is only suffering from mental fatigue. Linda suggests a series of possible explanations: the car, the mechanic, Will’s glasses, etc. She concludes that Willy should request a New York assignment rather than travel each week. At first Willy hesitates, complaining that his boss Howard does not respect his contributions to the company and might not listen to him, but Linda encourages Willy to tell Howard of his accomplishments. Willy decides to talk to Howard in the morning.
Commentary
In the first pages of Act I, Miller introduces the dysfunction of the Loman household and prepares the audience for its escalation. When Willy returns home early from a sales trip, Linda casually asks if he wrecked the car. Linda's question and Willy's annoyed response suggest that this conversation has happened before. It suggests a deep level of dysfunction in the Loman household. In fact several of the instructions to the actors in the first few pages of the play imply a deep level of dysfunction. In these actor’s instructions, Linda is “careful,” “delicate,” “helpful,” and “resigned.” She is attentive to Willy, and slightly afraid of him. Later, we learn why.
Willy does not make excuses for himself but openly admits that he could not concentrate on his driving. In fact, several times, he forgot that he was driving at all. Willy’s wonder and his unwillingness to accept the obvious excuses offered by Linda reveal that he realizes something is truly wrong. We can see in his body language that he is completely exhausted, both physically and mentally. This prepares the audience for Willy’s more pronounced dysfunction later in the play.
Summary & Commentary
Death of a Salesman
Act 1, Willy’s Homecoming
Summary
Death of a Salesman begins in the home of Willy Loman. Willy returns home exhausted from his latest sales excursion. He worries because he is having difficulty remembering events, as well as staying focused on the road. His wife, Linda, reassures him that he is only suffering from mental fatigue. Linda suggests a series of possible explanations: the car, the mechanic, Will’s glasses, etc. She concludes that Willy should request a New York assignment rather than travel each week. At first Willy hesitates, complaining that his boss Howard does not respect his contributions to the company and might not listen to him, but Linda encourages Willy to tell Howard of his accomplishments. Willy decides to talk to Howard in the morning.
Commentary
In the first pages of Act I, Miller introduces the dysfunction of the Loman household and prepares the audience for its escalation. When Willy returns home early from a sales trip, Linda casually asks if he wrecked the car. Linda's question and Willy's annoyed response suggest that this conversation has happened before. It suggests a deep level of dysfunction in the Loman household. In fact several of the instructions to the actors in the first few pages of the play imply a deep level of dysfunction. In these actor’s instructions, Linda is “careful,” “delicate,” “helpful,” and “resigned.” She is attentive to Willy, and slightly afraid of him. Later, we learn why.
Willy does not make excuses for himself but openly admits that he could not concentrate on his driving. In fact, several times, he forgot that he was driving at all. Willy’s wonder and his unwillingness to accept the obvious excuses offered by Linda reveal that he realizes something is truly wrong. We can see in his body language that he is completely exhausted, both physically and mentally. This prepares the audience for Willy’s more pronounced dysfunction later in the play.