Death of a Salesman

A detailed Summary of Death of a Salesman

It is morning the next day, and the beginning of Act II. Willy is very happy, knowing that his sons are going to see Bill Oliver and become successes. Nothing can ruin this. The boys have left the house, and Willy is preparing to go see his own boss, Howard, to tell him that he does not want to travel anymore and wishes to have a job on the sales floor in New York. As he leaves, Linda tells him that the boys are going to treat him to a big dinner that night at Frank's Chop House.

Willy has a long discussion with Howard, and finally Howard tells Willy that the firm is firing him. Willy is shocked. Howard is the son of the previous owner, whom Willy was a good friend with. Willy delivers a long monologue about sales, and eventually Howard leaves the office for a few minutes. Ben appears and Willy is transported back to Biff's senior year again. It is the day of the big football game. Biff has been asked to attend three Universities. Willy refuses Ben's business offer once more, and tries to defend his position as a "lowly" salesman. Still immersed in this fantasy, Willy leaves Howard's ranting as he walks down the street to Charlie's office.

At Charlie's office Willy runs into Bernard and

It is when Bernard asks Willy why it was that Biff didn't go to summer school specifically what happened in Boston when Biff went to visit Willy while he was away on a business trip. Willy then realizes that it was his fault and not the math teachers that Biff didn't amount to anything more than he is. Bernard tells of how Biff was prepared to go to summer school, but upon his return from seeing Willy in Boston, he burned his sneakers in the furnace. It was at that point that Bernard realized that Biff "had given up his life". Willy becomes upset at what seems to be the fact that what he has always known but denied has been visible to others all these years. That he, Willy Loman, is to blame for his son's failure.

Willy and Charlie talk for a little while. Charlie gives Willy fifty dollars so that he can go home to Linda and pretend that it's his pay. Willy leaves the office almost in tears and we are then taken to Frank's Chop House where the boys are waiting for Willy.

Upon first meeting Bernard, Willy lies about Biff's lack of success by telling him that Biff has been "doing big things in the West". Bernard allows Willy to continue the charade but only temporarily. Soon the conversation turns to Bernard's success and Willy questions "what's the secret?" "How-how did you? Why didn't he ever catch on?" Bernard's reply is that "He never trained himself for anything". Biff's failure to apply himself toward anything other than sports was again Willy's fault. Early on in the play Bernard urges Biff to study with him because he heard his math teacher has threatened to flunk him. Since Biff has three athletic scholarships

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Approximate Word count = 1103
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English