Discussion on dos-pg-81-90

[Chris]

31) Sorry, don't have the question with me but I think it's along the
lines of who is Dave Singleman and describe his significance?

Dave Singleman is 84 years old. He is also a salesman. Willy met him
in the Parker House during the time Willy and his brother was trying
to locate their father. Because of Singleman, Willy pursued a job of
business, a traveling salesman. He notes that, “..what could be more
satisfying than to be able to go, at the age of eighty-four, into
twenty or thirty different cities, and pick up a phone, and be
remembered and loved and helped by so many different people?” (Miller
81). He sees a career that you can do regardless of your age. This
mindset could attract Willy to a business career instead of working
outside, which could be what he wanted to do in the first place.

The paragraph also mentions green velvet slippers (worn by Dave
Singleman) a couple of times. My guess is a symbol of wealth (green
for money?) and the fact that it’s velvet could signify importance.
This importance could be seen by Willy, which makes him want this
career (referring back when Willy says people that are liked will fare
better than people who are smart but are not as well liked). The fact
that months after his death, he was still revered and Willy wants that
'fame.' Willy wants to be a good father, being able to make enough
money for his family. Having a possibility to work as long as
Singleman all in the comfort in your own room…all pros and no cons.

I think there are a couple of other points out there...any additional
information is appreciated.

[Nicole :)]

I'm kind of confused as to which question I am doing now... so I'll do
Q1 (because it says on the home page) and Q2 (because my number was 1,
and question 2 falls under my number) .... if that makes sense.

Question 1: Who is Dave Singleman and why is he important?

Dave Singleman is mentioned on page 81 of Act 2 when Willy is begging
Howard to travel to sell and asked for more money. Dave is described
as being an older man, at the age of 84, who is also a traveling
salesman. Willy met him when they were in the Parker House. Willy also
describes his death and how hundreds of salesmen came to his funeral.
"...pick up his phone and call the buyers, and without ever leaving
his room, at the age of eighty four, he made his living. And when I
saw that, I realized that selling was the greatest career a man would
want." I believe that Arthur Miller uses Dave Singleman's character to
describe part of the American dream. Part of the American dream
includes the money, the perfect job, and the travelling. In
conclusion, Dave Singleman is important in Death of a Salesman because
he depicts the ideal career associated with the American dream.

Question 2: Explain the metaphor Willy uses on page 82.

The metaphor on page 82 states: "You can't eat the orange and throw
the peel away- a man is not a peice of fruit." This describes Willy as
the orange and his hard work as the inside of the orange. His
employer, Howard, takes the inside and discards the rest. The same way
Howard takes all of Willy's hard work but discards the rest of him,
the parts he doesn't need...Which isn't fair at all. Willy should be
recognized for his hard work, instead of being used (or eaten) and
then thrown away.

^^ Would anyone else like to add? :)

- Nicole

[Jose]

Q: Show that Charley is correct when he tells Willy that he has to
grow up.

A: Charley is correct in many ways. “Yeah, heh? When this game is
over, Charley, you’ll be laughing out of the other side of your face.
They’ll be calling him another Red Grange. Twenty-five thousand a
year.” This was said after Charley kept joking around with Willy when
they were about to leave to Biff’s football game. Willy still has an
imagination of a kid. He believes that Biff will be one of the
greatest football players of his time and Willy would get extremely
upset at Charley when Charley said his jokes. Willy takes everything
seriously and doesn’t know when someone is joking. He has to grow up
and learn when someone is joking and control his anger. Another reason
why Charley is right is when Willy declines Charley’s job offer. Willy
won’t take the job because he is jealous of how successful Charley is.
Willy doesn’t have a job, he is on commission, he can’t pay his bills
and he’s always asking for loans. With all these problems Willy still
won’t take the job offer because of the jealousy he has towards
Charley. An adult would take the job so he/she can provide of their
family. Willy looks like a senior but acts like a child.