*Death of a Salesman--Day 4.

Act II in Death of a Salesman envelops the reader into the theme of appearance. Previously in the story, Willy chose to purchase a refrigerator based upon the appearance of the fridge in a magazine rather than studying the brand and reliability of the refrigerator. Sure enough, the refrigerator soon breaks, and Willy blames the “junkyard” refrigerator upon Linda. The morning that Happy and Biff leave on business, the house smells of “shaving lotion”, an aroma that Linda adores. The fragrance of the shaving lotion indicates the imperativeness that Willy and Linda feel towards personal appearances.

Along with physical appearances of tangible items, Willy also acquired the job of a salesman because of the “perfect” appearance of the job. Willy was offered a job in Alaska, but rejected the job because of an “eighty four year old” man named Dave Singleman who “drummed merchandise into thirty-one states.” The image of Dave Singleman attracted Willy to the job, based solely on the fact of the appearance of Dave Singleman. Although Dave Singleman appears to be a great salesman, and “hundreds of salesman and buyers” went to Dave’s funeral, the people were only there because they planned to buy items from Dave-they weren’t there because he was “well liked.” Willy discovers that being a salesman is now “cut and dried”- there are no “camaraderie,” “respectability, and “friendship” in sales “these days.” Through the story of Willy becoming a salesman based on image, Arthur Miller presents the theme of appearance, and how just because an item, person, or job appears glamorous, it really is not all that great if one doesn’t have the heart to put effort forth into it.

Willy is soon fired from his job from lacking motivation, and goes to Charley for financial help. Charley’s son, Bernard, shows Willy a “recorder” in which his son recites states and capitols. Throughout the play thus far, Arthur Miller uses objects to remind Willy of memories in life which provides clues to the reader about the unhappiness of Willy. The recorder, for instance, causes Willy to reminisce back upon the memory of another reason why Willy rejected the job in Alaska and also why Willy is bitter towards Biff. The day of Biff’s football game at “Ebbet Field,” was the day that Willy was supposed to leave for Alaska. However, Willy knew this game was important, and therefore stayed. As Willy speaks to Bernard more, Bernard questions as to why Biff did not go to summers school after “failing math.” Biff returned home, and burned his “University of Virginia sneakers” behind the furnace. The reader then understands why Willy chose to attempt suicide from the furnace- because it was Willy’s fault that Biff did not go to summer school. The attempt of suicide in the place that Biff “killed” his dreams signifies the guilt that Willy feels towards the failure of Biff. The question the reader has yet to unearth is what is Biff’s reasoning for not going to summer school? What did Willy say that day in Boston that prevented Biff to follow his dreams?