No. You can’t just come to see me, because I lovehim. [With a threat, but only a threat, of tears] He’s the dearestman in the world to me, and I won’t have anyone makinghim feel unwanted and low and blue.
I wonder what Linda and Willy have gone through in their relationship in the past. Linda has such unconditional love and respect for Willy, it makes me curious to know what caused her to really be like this towards him.
Oh, Ben, that’s good tohear! Because sometimes I’m afraid that I’m not teachingthem the right kind of—Ben, how should I teach them?
Willy really cares about how other people perceive his personality as well as his efforts.
Not if you’re gonna be there.
Biff and Willy seem to have been especially close when they both were younger.
You and Hap and I, and I’ll show you all thetowns. America is full of beautiful towns and fine, upstand-ing people. And they know me, boys, they know me upand down New England. The finest people. And when Ibring you fellas up, there’ll be open sesame for all of us,’cause one thing, boys: I have friends. I can park my car inany street in New England, and the cops protect it like theirown. This summer, heh?
It is clear that Willy has experienced a lot in life. It makes sense that he now finds himself in his head a lot, reminiscing of past times.
I get that any time I want, Biff. Whenever I feeldisgusted. The only trouble is, it gets like bowling or some-thing. I just keep knockin’ them over and it doesn’t meananything. You still run around a lot?
Happy annoys me. He talks too often in a conceited manner. Also, I hate the way Happy and Biff talk about women. One second they are having a deep conversation about their careers, the next second they're acting immature talking about women like they're in the high school boys locker room.
Sometimes I sit in my apart-ment—all alone. And I think of the rent I’m paying. Andit’s crazy. But then, it’s what I always wanted. My ownapartment, a car, and plenty of women. And still, goddam-mit, I’m lonely.
Willy, Biff, and Happy all share an overarching feeling of personal emptiness. They have worked hard at points in their lives, but they still feel unfulfilled.
You’re not worriedabout me, are you, sweetheart?
It's odd for Willy to ask a question like this. He's sort of reassuring Linda to not worry about him, yet the way he presents himself in front of her is concerning.
willy: The way they boxed us in here. Bricks and win-dows, windows and bricks.
The lack of open space in Willy's living situation may contribute to his own crowded thoughts.
He became a moody man.
This is interesting for Willy to say about his son since Willy himself seems to be very moody. However, he probably overlooks his own moodiness because he remains consistent in his work compared to his son who isn't making much money.
willy: Figure it out. Work a lifetime to pay off a house.You finally own it, and there’s nobody to live in it.
This statement made by Willy derives from his mental exhaustion. It may imply his struggles about understanding the "American Dream" for himself.
Take an aspirin. Should I get you an aspirin? It’llsoothe you.
Linda seems to be very compromising as she offers positive perspectives in response to Willy's complaints.
A word-sigh escapes his lips—itmight be‘‘Oh, boy, oh, boy.’’
As Willy makes his first appearance in the play, his exhaustion is already apparent. This action of murmuring to himself may imply that his exhaustion is not only physical, but mental as well. There may be plenty of thoughts on his mind, causing him to feel drained.