One interpretation for why Willy is secretive about starting a business is that he has no actual concrete plans for starting a business. This aligns with the text, as Willy expresses a dream of having his own business but does not provide any specifics on how that will happen, indicating that it may be more of a fantasy or wish rather than a realistic, actionable plan.
Multiple Interpretations Quick Check
5 of 55 of 5 Items
Feature
Death of a Salesman
by Arthur Miller
BIFF: Where’d you go this time, Dad? Gee we were lonesome for you.
WILLY (pleased, puts an arm around each boy and they come down to the apron): Lonesome, heh?
BIFF: Missed you every minute.
WILLY: Don’t say? Tell you a secret, boys. Don’t breathe it to a soul. Someday I’ll have my own business, and I’ll never have to leave home any more.
HAPPY: Like Uncle Charley, heh?
WILLY: Bigger than Uncle Charley! Because Charley is not — liked. He’s liked, but he’s not — well liked.
Excerpt(s) from DEATH OF A SALESMAN by Arthur Miller, copyright © 1949, renewed copyright © 1977 by Arthur Miller. Used by permission of Viking Books, an imprint of Penguin Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. All rights reserved.
Question
Use the passage to answer the question.
In the present, it is revealed that Willy is still working as a traveling salesman. Based on this knowledge, what is one interpretation for why he is so secretive about starting a business?
(1 point)
Responses
He knows that the business he will start is going to fail.
He knows that the business he will start is going to fail.
He has no actual concrete plans for starting a business.
He has no actual concrete plans for starting a business.
He would much rather continue working as a salesman for the rest of his life.
He would much rather continue working as a salesman for the rest of his life.
He knows that his plans will lead to even more time away from his family.
He knows that his plans will lead to even more time away from his family.
1 answer