Death of a Salesman: Quotes

Well, dear, life is a casting off. It’s always that way. (Act One) (Character: Linda Loman)

Linda Loman says this to her husband Willy, in an attempt to make her husband understand that one cannot control all aspects of life. Sometimes, one has to compromise and get on, regardless of the situation. She is well-aware that life is a struggle but with resilience and a positive attitude, one can be happy.

And it’s a measly manner of existence. To get on that subway on the hot mornings in summer. To devote your whole life to keeping stock, or making phone calls, or selling or buying. To suffer fifty weeks of the year for the sake of a two-week vacation, when all you really desire is to be outdoors, with your shirt off. And always to have to get ahead of the next fella. And still—that’s how you build a future. (Act One) (Character: Biff Loman)

Biff Loman is acutely aware of the shortcomings of following the American dream, as he converses with his younger brother Happy. He sees the futility of living to work instead of working to live. Biff seeks fulfilment in finding meaning in his life, in discovering himself and cannot sustain a compartmentalized life of being a cog in the wheel. However, he knows that the only way to build a safe future is to be a part of the system. This accounts for a major loss of identity in him.

Everybody around me is so false that I’m constantly lowering my ideals . . .(Act One) (Character: Happy Loman)

Happy Loman, the younger son, is portrayed as a superficial character who was denied attention as a child. He is a misanthropist but he shows signs of great intellect and empathy too. Happy is discontent with his job, having to work for people who do not inspire him; he sees through the artificiality of those around him and cannot help but comment that because their lives are full of lies, he has to constantly lower his ideals in order to fit in.

The trouble is we weren’t brought up to grub for money. I don’t know how to do it. (Act One) (Character: Biff Loman)

That’s why I thank Almighty God you’re both built like Adonises. Because the man who makes an appearance in the business world, the man who creates personal interest, is the man who gets ahead. Be liked and you will never want. (Act One) (Character: Willy Loman)

The world is an oyster, but you don’t crack it open on a mattress! (Act One) (Character: Willy Loman)

A man is not a bird, to come and go with the springtime. (Act One) (Character: Linda Loman)

A small man can be just as exhausted as a great man. (Act One) (Character: Linda Loman)

Will you take that phony dream and burn it before some- thing happens? (act Two) (Character: Biff Loman)