The restaurant scene

  A number of things occur in this scene from Happy's flirting to Biff's admission of guilt. Biff tells Happy how Bill Oliver did not even recognise him, despairing at his failure. But then he goes on to reveal that he stole a fountain pen from his ex-employer, though he insists he didn't intend to do it. The way he explains it makes him seem like a kleptomaniac and makes me suspect that he really did steal those basketballs from Oliver all those years ago when he left his firm. It also suggests a reason for his not being able to maintain a regular job. For the first time, he seems desperate for his father's approval too, afraid of how he will react to his son's failure.

My impressions of the end of Act 1(DOAS)

  The end of act 1 reveals to us that Willy has been contemplating suicide which leads us to believe that he is not so completely unaware of the reality of his situation in life as sometimes seems. Linda's strange reaction to her husband's secret shows that she is unsure of how exactly to help him. She enlists the help of her eldest son, Biff, who now has to shoulder this burden and providing for the family. The burden Biff must take on and his putting back his own dreams gives us the impression that Biff is a tragic hero. It is Biff who removes the rubber pipe in the end, taking the decision into his own hands and caring for the welfare of the family.
  The behaviour of the characters at the end of this act helps us round off our ideas on their personalities. For example, the way Happy tries have his own input into the conversation whenever his parents are focussed on Biff shows that he feels like he is fighting to get out of his brother's shadow and be noticed. Willy contradicts himself again when offering Biff advice for his interview, giving the appearance that he wants to seem useful and knowledgeable like a father should -he wants to succeed at something, perhaps live vicariously too- but he makes a bit a of confusing mess of it as usual.
  The end of the act also serves to show us that despite what the rest of the act shows us, Willy is truly proud and admires his eldest son. The neglect and mistreatment of Linda is also highlighted and there are strong hints that Biff is well aware of his father's affair. Linda and Happy could be interpreted as tragic victims through all this.
  At the end of the act, we have assessed the characters and the lives they possess. The play has been set out so we are prepared for the events to come in the second act.