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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 does Happy want to show everyone?

2. Biff wants Willy to ____________.

3. How much money is involved?

4. What is the guaranteed proposition Willy refers to as he "speaks" to Ben?

5. What does Linda order her sons to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. Which personal qualities does Happy reveal when Miss Forsythe enters the restaurant and he talks to her?

2. What is Willy's final fantasy?

3. Account for Willy's anger towards Biff.

4. Is Charley's summation of Willy and his life as a salesman an accurate one?

5. What is wrong with Happy's assertion that "the only dream you can have [is] to come out number one man."?

6. How does Happy think Biff should handle telling Willy the bad news when he arrives at the restaurant?

7. Why did Willy never find true happiness?

8. How is it again made evident that Willy Loman "had the wrong dreams"?

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

10. What is the effect of Willy's words, "The gist of it is that I haven't got a story left in my head."?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

"Linda: 'It sounds so old-fashioned and silly, but I tell you he put his whole life into you and you've turned your backs on him.'"

Account for Biff's and Happy's treatment of their father, making close reference to the text.

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

"BIFF: 'He had the wrong dreams. All, all wrong.'"

"CHARLEY: 'Nobody dost blame this man.'"

Do you agree with Charley? If Willy cannot be blamed for his tragedy, where does the blame (if any) lie?

(see the answer keys)

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