Author: wschoen

http://geocities.com/richston2/puns/miller.htm I found this site interesting. They have a lot of information about the roots of words used ect…, here’s some of the things I found most pertinent.  it appears that the title of the play itself is also the source of additional wordplay. Consider the folowing English words as an example: —de-, a preix meaning “opposite of”; —eath, earlier form of ease, “freedom from hard work and financial problems”. It is akin to easy, “socially at ease”; –of a say-less man, i.e., Charley. This wordplay manifests itself in the passage wherein Willy says that people do not seem to take to him and are either laughing at him or avoiding him when he walks into a place–an uncomfortable position. Linda then attempts to change the subject to a positive one by pointing out that Willy makes seventy to one hundred dollars a week, but he laments that he has to work ten to twelve hours a day to obtain that much and that other men do it more easily. He blames it on the fact that he talks and jokes too much, in contrast to the quieter Charley.  Charley: “You never heard from him again, heh? Since that time?” Willy: “Didn’t Linda tell you? Couple of weeks ago we got a letter from his wife in Africa. He died.” Charley: “That so”. Ben: So this is Brooklyn, heh?”…. Ben: “I must make a train, William. There are several properties I am looking at in Alaska”. Willy: “Sure, sure! If I’d gone with him to Alaska that time, everthing would have been different”. Charley: “Go on, you’d froze to death up there”. Willy: “What’re you talking about?” Ben: Opportunity is tremendous in Alaska, William. Surprised you’re not up there”. Willy: Sure, tremendous”. Charley: “Heh?” Willy: “That was the only man I ever met who knew the answers”. Charley:”Who?” Ben: How are you all?” Willy: “Fine, fine”. Charley: “Pretty sharp tonight”. Ben: “Is Mother living with you?” Willy: “No, she died a long time ago”. Charley: “Who?” Ben: “That too bad. Fine specimen of a lady, Mother”. Willy [to Charley]: “Heh?” Ben: “I’d hoped to see the old girl”. Charley: “Who died?” Ben: “Heard anything from Father, have you?” Willy: “What do you mean, who died?” Charley: “What’re you talking about?”  This conversation between Willy, Ben and Charley is a good example of how Miller uses dialogue to reveal Willy’s failing grasp of reality and the world. His sentences are short, mixed up, and he clearly cannot keep on top of what is really happening around him (the card game with Charley) and what is only in his mind (Ben). In fact, Charley says the least during the scene, answering with usually just a single, monosyllabic word, revealing that Willy is really becoming more connected with the world of the dead than that of the living. 

Happy’s dialogue suggests a yearn for acceptance, especially from Willy. As Alex noted, everything Happy says is sugar coated. He agrees with people, tells them what they want to hear, and has no qualms about making himself out to be bigger and better than he really is. For instance, during the dinner scene at the restaurant, it becomes clear that Happy is a smooth talker, and he doesn’t let the truth get in the way of a good story. This sort of dialogue is reflective of the kind of talk we hear from Willy, who also has no qualms about exaggerating the truth. He tells Linda that, “I did five hundred gross in Providence and seven hundred gross in Boston.” He borrows money from Charley instead of telling Linda he isn’t making enough. Happy, the second son, has picked up on this trait. It is clear he is devoted to Willy, at least in his youth. Three times he says this exact line, “I’m losing weight, you notice Pop?” Willy never replies, because he doesn’t take much notice of Happy when he has Biff, his golden boy to fawn over. Happy never gives up trying to please his father. He tells Willy, “…I’m gonna retire you for life” which certainly isn’t happening with his current paycheck or lifestyle.