Death of a Salesman Readers Theatre

This is a Readers Theatre script for “Death of a Salesman” by Arthur Miller which tries to analyze the significance of Biff and Happy Loman in the play. This was written and performed for an IB English class.

The Indictment

In the Court of the People of the State of New York

Judicial Centre of New York City

The People

v.

Biff Loman and Happy Loman

Biff Loman stands charged:

Count 1 – In the city of New York, State of New York, did unlawfully personify the internal struggles of Willy Loman as he struggles to achieve the American Dream, and commit an indictable offence to wit, illegal emancipation from the American Dream, contrary to the Criminal Codes of the United States of America and the State of New York.

Happy Loman stands charged:

Count 1 – In the city of New York, State of New York, did unlawfully personify the internal struggles of Willy Loman as he struggles to achieve the American Dream, and commit an indictable offence to wit, illegal representation of the American Dream that Willy Loman tries to focus upon his family, contrary to the Criminal Codes of the United States of America and the State of New York.

(Biff and Happy Loman personify the internal struggles of Willy Loman as he struggles to achieve the American Dream. Happy represents the illusion of the Dream that Willy tries to force upon his family, whereas Biff is charged with not obeying the American Dream like a slave.)

By will of the People, it will be determined which defendant is more guilty.

Taras: Please spell out your last name for the court.

Xuehai: L-O-M-A-N. People may say that as Low-man. And just so you all know, my family almost represents this low-man characteristic as my father was nothing but a low-man.–

Taras: And could you spell your first name?

Xuehai: B-I-F-F, Biff. It represents my fall, or “biff”, from the dreams pushed upon me by my father. I am the only person in the play to escape from Willy’s American Dream and illusion by accepting my true identity. Look at Happy, he is falsely “happy”. I have fallen into the real world and have accepted reality.

Taras: Thank you. Now may the second accused spell his first name.

Erich: H-A-P-P-Y or H-A-R-O-L-D. I believe wholeheartedly in my father’s dreams of becoming a businessman. People really love me. I represent all the entrepreneurial characteristics of my father, and because of this, I am extremely happy. Get it, happy? Haha.

Taras: Do the accused wish to affirm or swear on the Bible?

Xuehai and Erich: Affirm.

Taras: Do the accused swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?

Xuehai: Yes.

Erich: Yes.

Taras: So help us God.

(Taras exits the room while accused get ready. He re-enters shortly after with a flute in hand, blowing a tune that is barely audible, and then proceeds to sit in the audience)

Brian: Thank you, your honours. I will now proceed with examination of the accused. Biff and Happy, are the charges consistent with your past behavior?

Xuehai: Absolutely not. From now on, “you’re going to hear the truth–what you are and what [we are]!” (130) Ladies and gentlemen, these charges are absolute balderdash for both my brother and me. Our strengths clearly cast these charges to the garbage dump.

Erich: We’re the “Loman Brothers, heh?!” (23) My brother’s bit of a poet… “an idealist” for sure! (23) He’s definitely a pretty strong guy with a lot of complexity. Me, I’m just a simple guy. I’m not as fanciful and dreamy as my brother here, but I have my own strengths such as being confident, especially around women. That night with Ms Forsythe was absolutely fantastic… she actually thought I went to West Point! Ha! Heck, even this Arthur Miller person commented on me being “well built”, “seemingly content” and having the scent of sexuality “that many women have discovered” (19). A bit strange I must say, but I was quite content with those remarks. We’re also quite well-liked, which is a major strength. You know, Pop said that “be liked and you will never want” (33), and we are both shining examples of how being well liked leads to great success in life. We’re both great specimens of how the American Dream is a success of epic proportions.

Taras: Success, heh? Do you know how much my appliances cost me? The fridge and car break down practically every week! We barely have the money to pay those off!

Brian: Great success, heh? Interesting you should say that, considering your socioeconomic status. What are your strengths, Biff?

Xuehai: Before I discuss my strengths, I would like to also mention that both me and my brother cared for our parents very much for significant stretches of time. There was this one time that Pop was extremely frustrated and lost his temper, and he started yelling at Mom. I told him, “Don’t yell at her, Pop, will ya?” (65) and “I don’t like you yelling at her all the time, and I’m tellin’ you, that’s all” (65). You see, I tried to be as modest as possible while caring for my mom’s emotional health. Not a lot of children care for their parents these days, but we’re exceptions obviously. Oh, we were always so lonesome for Pop when he was on sales trips. This one time he came back, we mentioned that we were so lonesome for him and “missed [him] every minute” (30). He was so happy… so well liked…

Brian: Your specific strengths, Biff? Please answer the question.

Xuehai: Well, I’m not a flat piece of paper; I’m a bit deeper than that. I hope you realize that. I’m quite the realist, I must say. I see flaws and point them out. There aren’t a lot of people that do this nowadays. This might sound contrary to the American Dream, but you know what, “I just realized what a ridiculous lie my whole life has been! We’ve been talking in a dream for fifteen years” (104). I don’t care about what the People think. This is the truth and – (interrupted)

Brian: Uh, thank you Biff for those… interesting remarks. Hopefully the men and women in the –

Xuehai: What woman?!

Brian: What? (59)

Xuehai: You know about the woman?

Brian:  The audience will ignore your –

Xuehai: Sorry.

Taras: “Get out of here! Go back, go back … this is Miss Francis, Biff…” (119)

Brian: Anyway, could both of you comment on how your strengths have changed over time? How have they affected your vision of the American Dream?

Erich: As I’ve said before, I’m a simple guy. An elitist might even call me static since I remain the same. At my father’s funeral, I mentioned that “I’m staying right in this city, and I’m gonna beat this racket!” (138), which clearly illustrates my confidence and perseverance in the face of such disturbance to the American Dream. I still think that me being well liked and my physical and personality traits will allow me to succeed, just like how they have always helped me and my father. He was a very successful salesman and he fostered the growth of yet another successful American family.

Taras: (looks to the jury) “Can you imagine that magnificence with twenty thousand dollars in his pocket?” (135)

Xuehai: That’s pretty interesting. Well, I’d say that the American Dream is a bit hopeless. I know I’m not supposed to say that, but I will anyways. It’s my strength. You see, I had a revelation. I wondered, “How the hell did I ever get the idea I was a salesman there? I even believed myself that I’d been a salesman for him!” (104) Despite my strengths, I’m still in the shadows of society. Look at you, Bernard. You’re so successful, and the contrast between your strengths and my strengths cause me to look horrible. What was that thing that Shakespeare character — Hamlet? — mentioned about a foil during one of his duels?

Taras: “I gotta go, baby. ‘By! ‘By! Imagine? When the mail comes he’ll be ahead of Bernard again!” (135)

Xuehai: Hm, I just feel so distanced from the American Dream…

Erich: I’m a person with a lot of strengths, but I’ve been passed over for promotions at the store! Luckily I’m Happy Loman and I have determination and confidence. One day, “I gotta show some of those pompous self-important executives over there that Hap Loman can make the grade.” (24)

Xuehai: These charges against us are absurd. Our strengths clearly demolish them.

Brian: No further questions, your honours.

Taras: The court now summons the prosecutor for some questioning on the weaknesses of the accused.

Taras: We summon Biff Loman to the stand again.

Brian: Mr. Biff Loman, do you have any aspirations or goals within our great American society?

Xuehai: No.

Brian: At any point in your life did you believe you were capable of seizing any opportunity?

Xuehai: “Yeah. Lotta dreams and plans.” (20). Those are long gone now. I saw through the illusion of the American Dream. “Screw the Business world!” (61)

Willy: “You got all kinds a greatness in you…” (67) What the hell’d you do with it?

Erich: “Where’s the old confidence, Biff?” (102)

Judge: Order!

Brian: Why do you not believe that you and your brother should follow in the footsteps of your father?

Xuehai: Because “we don’t belong in this nuthouse of a city! We should be mixing cement on some open plain, or – or carpenters. A carpenter…” (61) (cut off by Willy)

Willy: Even your grandfather was better than a carpenter! “You never grew up!” (61)

Xuehai: What’s so bad about being a carpenter? At least they have some integrity and can show some respect to women! Even if they’re on a road trip in Boston!

Erich: “What happened Biff?” (21)

Willy (yelling over Hap): Shut your mouth, boy!

Judge: ORDER!!!

Brian: Do you consider yourself to have many weaknesses?

Xuehai: Well, I find myself in most situations trying to please my dad, especially in situations dealing with money and a job. First thing we’re arguing, and the next thing I know, I’m telling him, “Dad, I’ll make good, I’ll make good” (111), or encouraging his hopes by saying to him, “[Bill Oliver] always said he’d stake me. I’d like to go into business, so maybe I can take him up on it.” (62) It’s not like as if I can help myself, but it seems more like a bad habit. Another problem of mine I suppose is stealing…

Erich: “Biff, for…!” (113)

Brian: Wait… stealing?

Willy: “I hear that!” (131)

Xuehai: “You know why I had no address for three months? I stole a suit in Kansas City and I was in jail!” (131)

Willy: “And whose fault is that?” (131)

Judge: Order!

Brian: No further questions your honours.

Taras: The court now summons Happy Loman to the stand.

Brian: What weaknesses do you consider yourself to have Mr. Harold Loman?

Erich: Well, I guess you could say that my ethics concerning business aren’t very good, but why should they be? I don’t see too much of a problem in sleeping with my superiors’ fiancées. “Take that girl Charlotte. [She was] engaged to be married in five weeks.” (25) “Maybe I just have an overdeveloped sense of competition or something, but I went and ruined her, and furthermore I [couldn’t] get rid of her. And he’s the third executive I’ve done that to. Isn’t that a crummy characteristic? And to top it all, I go to their weddings!” (25) “I guess all I can do now is wait for the merchandise manager to die”. (23)

Brian: That’s quite a bold statement you’ve made Mr. Loman…

Erich: Well, some might call me egotistical, but he wouldn’t have been able to tell the difference. “I got more in my pinky finger than he’s got in his head” (24). I’ve been told that I’ve demeaning towards women, but what man can help the feeling? As I’ve told Biff, “I get [women] any time I want. Whenever I feel disgusted. The only trouble is, it gets like bowling or something. I just keep knockin’ them over and it doesn’t mean anything”(25).

Brian: You sound almost proud.

Erich: “Well, that’s because I don’t want the girl, and, still, I take it and—I love it!” (25)

Brian: To me, it appears that your sleeping with woman is the only outlet you have for the lonely dead-end life that you have developed because of your naivity. It gives you power that you cannot find in the workplace. (walks up to Erich). Personally, if we were to speak candidly if you will, I think that your brother has a much better shot out here in the real-world than you do. (backs away) No further questions your honours. The court now summons Biff Loman back to the stand.

Brian: So, Mr. Biff Loman, are you currently employed?

Xuehai: No,…

Taras: Biff is a lazy bum!(16)

Judge: Order in the court!

Brian: Yet didn’t you claim to your father that you were going to get staked by Bill Oliver?

Xuehai: Yes.

Brian: Was this true?

(pause)

Xuehai: No.

Brian: Why did you lie to your father?

Taras: It’s because he’s a goddamn lazy bum! He doesn’t have the charisma that made him popular and successful in high school!

Erich: Yeah. Why did you burn your sneakers? Why did you just give up on your life after that visit to Boston(   )? What do you have on Pops? Why were you sobbing in the hotel room? Were you trying to gain sympathy or something! Such criminal tools render the jury emotionally destroyed. Why did you change after that? It’s as if you just grew out of your football days. Biff. That was the last important event that happened in your life(   ).

Judge: ORDER!

Xuehai: Well, I guess it’s because I couldn’t let my dad fall apart. I was so shocked to hear that he was dying, that when Happy told him I’d go see Bill Oliver, I felt like playing along.

Taras: Yeah, Your Honour. Biff Loman was a lost boy(16), but he tried to make it up to me; it’s just that he didn’t believe in himself [crying].

Brian: It is true that you lacked success, isn’t it?

Xuehai: Yeah. I was wandering around the States trying to find a good job. But whenever spring came, I suddenly get the feeling, my God, I’m not getting anywhere!(22)

Brian: But from your father’s outburst, it is clear that you had a successful life in high school. You were popular, you were football team captain, and you could have gone on to the University of Virginia. Personally, I must confess, I admired you. I remember that I wanted to carry your football helmet on the big game at Ebbet’s Field (point out to the side). Why did you give up?

Taras: I’ll tell you why: he gave up on himself! After failing math, he just quit on life! Did several tramp jobs here and there, and reduced himself to a carpenter. A CARPENTER! Even his grandfather was better than a carpenter (61)! The point of the matter is, Biff just quit on life. When I heard that he burned the sneakers, the ones with ‘University of Virginia’ scrawled on them, I realized Biff Loman would fail.

Xuehai: YOU LIE!

Taras: What the—

Judge: ORDER!!

Xuehai:[tears in his eyes, yelling hysterically] You want to know why I gave up, Dad? Why “I stole myself out of every good job since high school” (131)? It’s because of YOU, you phony fake! When I walked in on you and that whore in that Boston hotel, I knew then that your life, the life you wanted for me, was a lie! I HAD REACHED MY CLIMAX!  Be well liked, yeah, right! You were “well liked” and you used this to cheat on Mom. “You gave her Mama’s stockings”(121)  for crying out loud! I wouldn’t let some cheater try to get me into college! When I saw her, I knew then and there that the life you led, the life you promoted, was nothing short of a cruel joke! If only I studied with Bernard for Regents, rather than try to be well-liked, I coulda passed math! And yet you led me astray with your Dreams, preventing me from adding up the real ingredients to a good life! [breaks down] “Will you let me go, for Christ’s sake? Will you take that phony dream and burn it before something happens?”(133)

Taras: Biff… Biff… why have you forsaken the American Dream? You were destined for it, Biff. Why did you fall?

Xuehai: You’ll never understand, Pop. Only I, Biff Loman, can understand. [quietly sobbing].

Brian: Thank you, Mr. Biff Loman. I now call upon Happy Loman to take the stand.

[Xuehai sits down, while Erich goes up. While he passes Erich, he looks upon his brother with an air of incredulity.]

Brian: Now then, you had a job inside New York City, correct?

Erich: Yes.

Brian: What was it?

Erich: Assistant buyer to a firm.

Xuehai: Liar! “You were one of the assistants to the assistant buyer!”(131)

Judge: ORDER!

Erich: Yeah, so what? At least I have confidence in what I do, unlike you!

Brian: Yes, Mr. Loman, but were you, pardon the pun, happy with your life?

Erich: No.

Brian: Why not?

Erich: I dunno. “I can get any woman I want, and still, goddamit, I’m lonely.”(23)

Brian: How so?

Erich: It’s just a way of getting what I want in this fantabulous city. I am Happy Loman, the greatest banker that ever lived. Shit, “I don’t know what the hell I’m working for. Sometimes I sit in my apartment—all alone”(23). And [these woman] doesn’t mean a thing(25).

Taras: How can it not mean a thing, Hap? I thank “God you were built like an Adonis”(33), it should get you far in life!

Erich: I don’t know, Dad, but trust me, one day, I’m gonna show everyone that Hap Loman can make the grade(24). (looking to heaven) By the way Pop, I’m losing weight, did ya notice?(33)

Brian: Yes, yes, Mr. Loman, you have repeated and reminded us of this many times already in your opening remarks. Did you know that repetition is a criminal tool? It sears a permanent memory into the jury and they are forced to remember your flatness. Do you EVER change? Do you believe that you can truly succeed?

Erich: I sure can; I’m well-liked. Pop always said, ‘the man who makes an appearance in the business world, the man who creates personal interest, is the man who gets ahead.’(33) Trust me, I’m gonna make the Loman Line be known throughout the country!

Brian: How then do you explain Biff’s attitude towards such a view?

Erich: Like Pop said, Biff gave up on life. Biff did not appreciate that Pop had a good dream– “to come out the number-one man”(139). Don’t worry, “Pop, this is where I’m gonna win it for you!”(139) [desperate for affection] I’m losing weight, Pop, did ya notice?(33)

Xuehai: [scornfully] “I know who I am, kid” (138), and so should you. We ain’t ever gonna make it out there; “I’m a dime a dozen, and so are you!”(132)

Erich & Taras: [angrily towards Xuehai] Don’t say that!

Xuehai: As I’ve said before, “Screw the business world!”(61)

Judge: ORDER!!!

Taras: That’s it, you lazy bum! I’m not gonna sit here and listen to you trash my Dream! You are an insult to Dave Singleman, the greatest salesman in the world; he kept all your popularity throughout his life, and look at him; mourned by everyone! You were supposed to succeed, Biff! How dare you fail me! “The door of your life is wide open!”(132)

Erich: You tell him, Pop!” I’m losing weight, did ya notice?”(33)

Brian: (off to the side, just quite enough for everyone to hear) No he didn’t…

Taras: Biff, I order you to recant your entire testimony!

Xuehai: NEVER!!

Taras: Why you little… [Biff, Happy, and Willy fight]

Judge: BAILIFF! RESTRAIN THEM AT ONCE! [Bailiff, assisted by Brian, separates the men.]

Brian: Your Honours, that concludes my presentation. Please grant me some time to prepare my closing remarks.

Brian:  In conclusion to today’s trial, the jury should be presented with the criminal tools used by the accused. Mr Loman, Biff, I realized earlier that you had a confrontation with me that was quite peculiar. You interrupted me when I said the word “woman”. Now, at the time, it was unclear to me what your intentions were but it became clear to me later that this woman is what ultimately broke your trust in your father, almost as if you were foreshadowing something; A chekhov’s gun as they call it. It is a deadly and powerful criminal tool Mr. Loman. This tool allowed you to be the only individual in the play to possess a secret which was only revealed to us at the final hours before this trial. I believe this is in violation of the rules of the court because it added a sinister, dark element into the play. Thus, you have unconditionally enhanced your own character through sympathy via depth and irony while your brother Happy Loman, could only lay there, flat as a pancake; he could do nothing.

Xuehai: Yes, and this depth I believe will show the jury that I am not delusional. My intention today is to show— (interupted)

Taras: That Biff Loman is the greatest–( interupted)

Brian: Would you stop interrupting the accused. This could almost be considered criminal how the interruption of Biff’s words creates a sense of tension throughout the courtroom. Don’t you see that you’re blocking out the only voice of reason. We can all feel it. And..–

Taras: That Biff Loman is the greatest–(finally re-interupted)

Xuehai:”Listen, will you(Willy) let me out of it, will your just let me out of it!”(109). Will you stop interrupting me and let me speak? “Pop, I’m a dime a dozen, and so are you!”(132). I’m no longer delusional of your “American dream”. Can’t you see? Only when a character is willing to accept himself for who he is can he move forward. This is the universal message of our tragic family. Look, this journalist named Arthur Miller explicitly states, (pulls out essay) “those who act against the scheme of things… from this total examination of the ‘unchangeable’ environment”(points around) can become a tragic hero. What have you done, kid? You’re just going to follow our father into the same ashtray he landed in? The jurors have seen that I can change. Therefore I am the least guilty!

Judge: Order!

Brian: It should be noted that the term “kid” is a criminal tool that shall not be used in the courtroom due to its derogative nature. Its repetition is also increasingly offensing. By referring to Mr. Happy Loman as a kid, it can be interpreted as condescending, placing you in a higher elevation of being than your brother and father. Mr Loman (toward Biff), when you burned your sneakers after failing math, was it a reflection, a metaphor, of your failing to add up the necessary things and attitudes required to lead a truly successful life? Is that why you did not pass math? You appear to be a very different man from that of the presented flashbacks. You picked up the roses while H. Loman did not. You stood in a golden flood of light “Like a young god. Hercules-something like that”(68). Witnesses, as well as the journalist Arthur Miller saw you SD: [Biff] come [comin]) downstage into a golden pool of light(60). Do you not know that it is a criminal offense to break the fourth wall and enter the same plane as that of the jury? It makes you empathetic and creates bias toward you as a hero. You break through the wall right before the act switch. Once you have gained the trust of the jury you take initiative against the unchangeable. You take the hose from the back of the heater. You realize you are not a businessman and you were not afraid to tell this to your father. You’ve realized your dead-end life in comparison to my success. How does this make your father feel?

Taras: What happened to my sons? Why are you so successful? “What’s the secret?”(92) Benard. I’m leaving.

Biff: There is no secret. Work hard and success will or will not come. Life is not a Dream. This is a universal lesson that should be learned by all. The jury empathizes with the person who realizes this and seeks change. That is why I had the ability to reach my climax in the last hours of the play. Can’t you see. I was sympathetic and caring while my father and brother just sat there like a bunch of foils. My elevated state of being after my confession is what leads me to break away from the dark, heartless side of the materialistic American Dream.

Brian: (looks at jury) Wow, that is some character analyses. Mr. Gentleman (looks at Taras), would you care to explain your account of the incident since Mr. Loman here appears to have thrown all structure out the window.

Taras: Well, the play’s structure resembles a stream of consciousness account, Willy drifts between his living room, downstage, and flashbacks of an idyllic past, and also to fantasized conversations with Ben. When we are in the present the characters abide by the rules of the set, entering only through the stage door to the left; however, when we visit Willy’s “past” these rules are removed, with characters openly moving through walls. Miller himself rather speaks of  these as “mobile concurrences”. In fact, flashbacks would show an objective image of the past. Miller’s mobile concurrences, however, rather show highly subjective memories. Furthermore, as Willy’s mental state deteriorates, the boundaries between past and present are destroyed, and the two start to exist in parallel. (citation needed)

Brian: How does Mr. Happy Loman feel about this?

Erich: I feel great, “I’m staying right in this city, and I’m gonna beat this racket. The Loman Brothers!”(138)

Brian: WHY DO YOU KEEP REPEATING YOURSELF! Oh your honours, clearly Mr. Harold “Happy” Loman has not changed one bit since the flashbacks. All he is an reincarnation of all that put Willy six feet under. He is one dimensional, flat and is thus extremely hard to sympathize with. His aforementioned explosion clearly illustrates his inability to break of his self illusion and thus has fallen into the oblivion of the American Dream. He lies about his identity and sleeps with as many powerful women as he can find just to gain that little bit of power that he does not have. He boasts himself as the assistant buyer when he is in fact the assistant’s assistant (130) and because of this he had “never told the truth for 10 minutes in [their] house!”(130). I believe the reason for this lack of moral character is the need for Mr Happy to consistently please his father because he is living in their shadows. He notes, “I’m losing weight, you notice, Pop, you notice?” (29) when clearly Willy does not. He is full of empty promises of getting married( ). All Happy represents is the dead end life of ignoring reality that was the delusional tragic legacy of Willy.

Erich: (egotistically )“You’re a poet, you know that, Biff? You’re a–you’re an idealist”(23)

Brian: No, the irony is that you’re the idealist. The two accused have clearly shown that through juxtaposition, the two brothers personify the internal struggles of Willy Loman and thus illustrate the theme of self delusion as he struggled to achieve the American Dream. Happy represents the illusion of the Dream that Willy forces upon his family while Biff represents the fall from the dream and thus gains identity by breaking from the illusion. Your honours, the People rest.

Taras: No! Nothing’s been planted. There ain’t a seed in this court! None of you know anything of what these boys can become! (points at Erich and walks up to him). Here, have this flute,[everyone tells him not to take it] it was given to me by a very special man. Goodbye, kid.

(While Taras is talking, everyone leaves the stands. Then, Taras leaves the stand with only Erich left on the stand. Erich starts to play the flute. Lights are shut off. Music drones off in the darkness)

If there is sufficient time, then the jury (the class) will vote upon who is the guiltiest.

Related posts:

1. Key Quotes, Ideas and Themes in Death of a Salesman [English notes]
2. Oedipus: The Tragic Hero Readers’ Theatre Script [English notes/humour]
3. Requiem for the IB