Gossip,+Scandal+and+Eavesdropping

(within the structure of the play) ||  ||   || Lengthy narratives at each introduction of a character into the scene ex. The woman entering, Biff entering. || (cited text and speaker) ||  ||   || //Willy looks at Biff, who is staring open-mouthed and horrified at The Woman// (pg 119) Biff's reaction when he first finds out about the affair emphasizes the pure horror and shock the affair has brought to Biff.
 * Gossip/Scandal/Eavesdropping**
 * || A Doll’s House || A Streetcar Named Desire || Death of a Salesman ||
 * Synopsis of scene ||  ||   || Willy and the woman are in the hotel room getting dressed when Biff knocks on the door. Willy proceeds to ignore him, but eventually gives in and opens the door while the woman hides in the bathroom. Biff tells Willy that he flunked math and cannot graduate, however the woman comes out of the bathroom and the affair is revealed to Biff. ||
 * Real time ||  ||   || Willy is with Biff, Happy, Letta and Miss Forsythe at the restaurant and is angry at Biff for refusing to see Oliver after stealing his fountain pen. ||
 * Narrative placement
 * Characters involved ||  ||   || Willy, the woman, Biff ||
 * Significant lines of dialogue

The Woman: Where's my stockings? You promised me stockings, Willy! Willy: I have no stockings here! The Woman: You had two boxes of size nine sheers for me, and I want them! Willy: Here, for God's sake, will you get outa here! (pg 119) The symbolism of the stockings as it is a motif reoccuring throughout the play when Linda is mending the stockings, shows the value and moral system of Willy's as he gives the new stockings to the woman while leaving his wife to mend her own.

Biff: You--you gave her Mama's stockings! //His tears break through and he rises to go.// Willy, //grabbing for Biff//: I gave you an order! Biff: Don't touch me, you--liar! Willy: Apologize for that! Biff: you fake! You phony little fake! //Overcome, he turns quickly and weeping fully goes out with his suitcase, Willy is left on the floor on his knees.// (pg 121) Marks the point in the play when Biff sees Willy through a different light and shows where the kink their relationship first developed and began. It is here that audience members are able to sympathize with the way Biff has been acting and treating Willy. || (cited text) ||  ||   || WILLY (after a pause): Well, better get going. I want to get to the school first thing in the morning. Get my suits out of the closet. I’ll get my valise. (Biff doesn’t move.) What’s the matter! (Biff remains motionless, tears falling.) She’s a buyer. Buys for J. H. Simmons. She lives down the hall — they’re painting. You don’t imagine — (He breaks off. After a pause.) Now listen, pal, she’s just a buyer. She sees merchandise in her room and they have to keep it looking just so... (Pause. Assuming command.) All right, get my suits. (Biff doesn’t move.) Now stop crying and do as I say. I gave you an order. Biff, I gave you an order! Is that what you do when I give you an order? How dare you cry! (Putting his arm around Biff.) Now look, Biff, when you grow up you’ll understand about these things. You mustn’t — you mustn’t overemphasize a thing like this. I’ll see Birnbaum first thing in the morning. || dramatic conventions ||  ||   ||   ||
 * Significant descriptions
 * Symbols ||  ||   || Stockings, football ||
 * Motifs ||  ||   || stockings ||
 * Narrative /style aspects ||  ||   || Prior to Biff's arrival, narratives were written in lengthy chunks and only as introductions to characters coming into the scene. However, after the affair is revealed, more narratives are incorporated into the dialogue in order to convey the back and forth responses between Willy and Biff through action and speech. ||
 * Literary features and