View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. Where was Ben living when he died?

2. Why is Bernard in Charley's office?

3. In what way does Willy contradict himself in this opening scene?

4. Why does Willy become annoyed with Linda?

5. What does Willy intend to do during the day?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. In what way does the commercial world intrude into the wire recorder demonstration?

5. Why does Willy say '"Im always in a race with the junkyard!"?

6. What does the audience learn about Linda from her great confrontation with her sons in Act 1?

7. What reassuring news does Linda give Biff when he phones her?

8. In the first few minutes of the play, what indications are there that Willy has an affinity with the artistic and creative?

9. Why has Willy unexpectedly returned from his journey?

10. How does Biff respond to Happy's question about his plans for the future?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe and comment upon Miller's use of symbolism (aural, visual and in spoken language) in Death of a Salesman. How does this symbolism emphasize the main ideas in the play? Describe at least three major pieces of symbolism and go into detail as to their meanings and purposes in the play to convey ideas.

Essay Topic 2

"Death of a Salesman offers a pessimistic view of the citizen's place in the social world.'" Do you agree? Regardless of how you answer regarding Willy, what of his sons? Describe the likely futures of Biff and Happy.

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)

This section contains 1,184 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample