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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What sound is heard before the curtain rises?

2. What is the outcome of Willy's visit to Howard?

3. What jobs has Biff mostly had since leaving school?

4. How did Ben and Willy's father support his family financially as they traveled?

5. What is it about Willy that the woman says she likes?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is the importance of Howard Wagner's new wire recorder?

2. In what way is the contrast between Willy's dreams and reality expressed in his conversation with Linda?

3. What is it that prevents Willy from accepting the offer of a job from Charley?

4. Comment on the "gay and bright" music that is heard at the beginning of Act 2.

5. What does this conversation with Biff reveal about Happy's character?

6. What is Willy's mood when he leaves for his interview with Howard Wagner?

7. Comment on Willy's "Dave Singleman" speech.

8. What is revealed about Willy during his hallucinatory return to the past?

9. Why has Willy unexpectedly returned from his journey?

10. What erratic behavior of Willy's indicates that he is disintegrating emotionally?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"Like tragic heroes, Willy Loman's fatal flaw is pride, but he is not a tragic hero." Do you agree? Explain your answer. If Willy is in fact a tragic hero, what makes him heroic? If he is not, explain why he is a protagonist at best, and should not be looked up to as a hero.

Essay Topic 2

What is Willy Loman's philosophy of life? In what ways is this significant in his relationships and his fate?

Essay Topic 3

"The ancient Greeks had a motto that said, 'Know yourself.' Death of a Salesman is a play about people who never understand themselves." To what extent do you agree with this statement? In your answer, refer both to major and minor characters in the play.

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