Howard Wagner

Brainstorm

Howard Wagner

What do we know?

• Howard is a powerful symbol of the modern businessman.

• He always puts the firm first.• He fires Willy with no regard to his loyal service or

friendship with his father.• He is insensitive, parading the tape-recorder which

he knows Willy cannot afford.• He is honest about the reality of the situation and

the fact that he does not have a job for Willy.

Find quotations from the scene in Howard’s office to support the points you have made.

Howard’s Office p54-61

This is the only scene in the play where we

meet Howard for a short time but it is important because we learn a lot about the character of Howard and the business world that he is part of.

• Why do you think Howard is so successful?• Do you admire him for this or not?• Why does Miller make the tape recorder and

important item in the meeting between Howard and Willy?

The Business World

• Willy is a salesman and selling is an important idea that runs through the play.

• Business success is part of the American Dream.

• In the play we are shown the growth of consumer society – people measured their success by what they could afford to buy.

• It became possible to buy consumer goods on credit and then pay back in instalments meaning that expensive items were within people’s grasp.

What do these quotations reveal about consumerism and the business world?

• Howard: Been driving me crazy, the most terrific machine I ever saw in my life. (55)

• Howard: You didn’t crack up again, did you? (57)

• Howard: But you’re a road man, Willy, and we do a road business. We’ve only got a half-dozen salesman on the floor here. (57)

What does Willy Sell?

• A critic once said of Willy Loman that he was ‘a man who from selling things has passed to selling himself, and has become, in effect, a commodities will at a certain point be economically discarded.’

• In the play we never find out what Willy actually sells but Miller responded to this question by saying, ‘Himself’.

Look at the quotations that follow. Decide which ofthese messages they are trying to get across:1. The society of the play is a society which discards

people when they are no longer financially useful.2. A consumer society produces products which are

junk.3. Consumerism changes people and makes them

behave in less ‘human’ ways.4. The salesman’s life is based on false hopes: he

makes his living by encouraging other people’s false hopes about the products they buy and he has to optimistic himself in order to have the confidence to sell, sell, sell.

• What impression does Howard Wagner give of the business world?

• Write up to one side of A4 and use quotations.

What do you think makes Howard Wagner a memorable character in the play?

Remember to support your ideaswith details from the play.

In the exam you will have 45 minutes to answer a question like this so it is essential that you plan your answer properly.

Planning your answer

Introduction:Briefly address the question.Main Body:• Symbol of modern business man• He always puts the firm first.• He fires Willy with no regard to his loyal service or friendship with his

father.• He is insensitive, parading the tape-recorder which he knows Willy

cannot afford.• Symbol of success (business and family)• He is honest about the reality of the situation and the fact that he

does not have a job for Willy.Conclusion:Summarise your main points and link back to the question.

REMEMBER TO ALWAYS USE POINT EXAMPLE EXPLANATION

For Example…

Arthur Miller makes Howard Wagner a memorable character in his play ‘Death of a Salesman’ because he is a symbol of the modern business man and his character highlights the ruthless nature of the business world that Willy Loman is struggling to succeed in…

Miller uses Howard as a powerful symbol of the modern business man. He is confident and in control when Willy attempts to speak to him about working in New York. He is more interested in his new wire-recorder than hearing what Willy has to say. Every time Willy tries to speak, Howard cuts him off: ‘Sh, for God’s sake!’ Howard’s assured air makes Willy seem insignificant and inferior to his younger boss…