Analysis+of+the+Requiem

__Explore the significance of the Requiem scene__ · Requiem means religious service: o Related to the funeral and the death of Willy (suicide) § Suicide · Unholy and sinful passing of a human being (bible and Christian belief) · Even at the end of his life, Willy could still not shake off his unmoral and unethical behavior that he also passed onto his sons · Peaceful connotations contrast to his chaotic end and internal struggle (conversation with Ben) o Linda brings back a sense of irony § The day she buries her husband she has paid off the mortgage on the house, and the fact that her husband killed himself because of money issues although they are now “clear and free” for the first time § “I made the last payment on the house today. Today dear, and there will be nobody home” · Popularity o This scene shows us that Willy failed to establish himself as a popular member of his community although he had strived to do so and had claimed to do so- many times § “Why did nobody come?” o Proves his lies and no truths in the household · This scene establishes a harsh contrast to the entire play o Willy felt the family was in great debt, although they were not to the greatest extent (mortgage was paid off) o Willy felt he was very popular and “well-liked”, especially in Boston and new England, however, no body comes to the funeral and proves to the audience that he as a “low man” and ordinary o OR: he has outlived his time, he is no longer a necessary component of the community and all other colleagues have died out before him- he was not able to change with the rapidly modernizing corporate world and therefore had to abruptly leave the world (requiem emphasizes a lost and died out generation) · Significance of Charley o He is very sincere towards the family, especially Linda § “it was a very nice funeral” o Emphasizes that charley was always a good-natured man and Willy failed to acknowledge this fact o Charley represents opportunity and a way out for the whole family o He stands in stark contrast with Willy especially in regards to how he treats Linda § Charley acknowledges Linda’s efforts and is very sincere towards her § She has finally been appreciated § Willy failed to acknowledge his wife’s loyalty

· Happy o “Dad I’m going to get married” o “Dad, I lost weight!” o Happy has stepped into Willy’s shoes- striving for dreams and constantly trying to impress his father, even after his death § “I’m gonna show you and everybody else that Willy Loman did not die in vain.” · Happy and Biff o “listen Kid, I know who I am” § Power struggle between the two brothers o Happy trying to follow Willy’s footsteps whilst Biff is trying to avoid Willy’s mistakes § CONFLICT o “Biff I know who I am Kid”- “All right boy”