Death Of A Salesman Direction

Death of A Salesman

Introduction

American is a capitalist society in which everyone is dispensable, where new is seen as being better: A place where people are valued by material things and not by their personality. The American dream rules America, believing that with hard work and a belief in yourself you can achieve your goals in life, money and many friends. Many people have tried to live 'the dream', but few have achieved it after all a dream is only a dream.

Death of a Salesman is a play about one man of the many who chased 'the dream' but after 34 years with no success at the age of 60 is cast out from the company he works for, abandoned like an orange peel once the fruit's heart has been devoured. His lack of success in life had caused him to wish to relive his life through his sons, mainly Biff; he wishes them to succeed where he has failed.

The restaurant scene is a powerful where everyone shows their real colours, Willy finally admits that he is a failure, and Biff tries to explain to his father about his career, whilst Happy is being a compulsive liar and holds Biff back from telling the truth.

In this scene Biff tries to explain that he has not got the money they need to start the new family business and that he had been kidding himself that he was a salesman like his father when he is only a clerk.

Characters

Willy Lomas - Main character Biff and Happy's father.

Willy has spent most of his life chasing the dream, this was his main goal but as his dreams fade, he begins to lose touch with reality, confusing the present day with memories of when he was more successful and people looked up to him - especially Biff. He suffers from depression and anxiety and he places his dreams upon his sons shoulders and pressurizes them to succeed where he has failed.

Biff - Willy's son - the older by 2 years.

Biff has had it easy in life; he was a high school football player but has spent his adult years drifting from one job to another. He doesn't know really what he wants in life, he has always admired his father, but since he learned of his father's affair and attempts at suicide he can now see his father for what he is.

Happy - Willy's youngest son.

Happy is practically a clone of Willy, he lies to everyone to please them. He is a womanizer and tells them what they want to hear just to succeed with them. He doesn't really care for his father. He exaggerates about his position and authority.

Stanley - waiter - knows Happy.

Stanley is depressed by the overpowering society, he wishes he had joined the army as he believes that he would be dead by know.

Miss Forsythe - a prostitute.

Scene

There will be two entrances, one on left and one on the right. The one on the left which comes in from the road outside the restaurant is shown below as D1. The right one which leads to the restaurant kitchen is D2.

The three tables are labelled T1, T2, and T3.

All these will be referred as they are shown below and by using the diagram you can follow the stage directions.

Movements / Position

The scene will start with a completely black scene, no light what so ever. D2 will open and a bright light will shine through it. Out of the light, Happy and Stanley will enter onto the stage Happy and Stanley will be caring a table and two chairs. Stanley puts down T3 and Happy places the two chairs around it.

Happy then looks around with a smile on this face, "Oh this is better."

As the conversation between Stanley and Happy takes place

Stanley, will be talking and generally tiding up the tables, moving chairs etc.

Just before the woman enters Happy will wave to Stanley and then speak. The woman will enter from the left side through D1 she will then walk around T3 and sit facing the audience (this gives the audience and Stanley and Happy time to