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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 musical instrument can be heard as the scene changes?

2. What circumstances have led to Biff's leaving in the past?

3. What does Linda order her sons to do?

4. What does Biff notice when he is in Bill Oliver's office?

5. What does Willy imagine his funeral will reveal about him?

Short Essay Questions

1. What cautions does Ben advise concerning Willy's plan to commit suicide?

2. Account for Willy's anger towards Biff.

3. In what way is Willy's life echoed in Biff's account of his attempt to see Bill Oliver?

4. Explain Happy's refusal to go with Biff and make a life for themselves in the country.

5. Why did Willy never find true happiness?

6. How is the fact of Willy's severe disintegration communicated to the audience?

7. In what way, according to Willy, does a man have to "add up to something" when he leaves this world?

8. Is Death of a Salesman an uncompromising indictment of "The American Dream"?

9. How does Biff feel about lying to his father about the Bill Oliver interview?

10. What insight does Biff experience in the few moments he does get to see Bill Oliver?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"As a salesman, Willy Loman was like a low-ranking priest in the religion of commerce, with all its fake values and promises." Discuss with close reference to Death of a Salesman.

Essay Topic 2

What function does Linda's character fulfill in the drama of Death of a Salesman? Is she the strongest character in the play? Back up your answer with at least three examples from the play, and explain why they are relevant.

Essay Topic 3

"Willy Loman's problem is not that he had the wrong dream, but that the dream was not large enough." To what extent do you agree with this statement?

(see the answer keys)

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