Death of a Salesman - Frank's Chop House

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How is the scene in Frank’s Chophouse significant to the play as a whole? The form of “Death of a Salesman” is a play written by Arthur Miller. The audience is introduced to the pivotal moment of Act Two where everything goes wrong for the protagonist, Willy Loman. The scene in which we are discussing involves Willy, and his two sons, Biff and Happy. Biff and Happy leave Willy alone as they go off with two girls. As the boys go off with these girls, the scene shifts as Willy remembers the night that Biff found out about his affair. In terms of the word “chophouse” there could be a reference to the verb and the noun “chop”. When the audience thinks of the word “chop”, they could imagine a piece of meat, or a person “chopping” something up. The significance of the restaurant being called “Frank’s Chophouse” could be to show the aggression and the violence that is harboured in Willy’s life. Another interpretation of this important location could be to show how unimportant Willy is, almost as if he is “chopped liver”, as his sons leave him, for two girls, on the off chance that they will “have some fun”. In terms of “Frank’s Chophouse”, this scene is significant to the play as a whole; as it shows the audience a more broadened opinion of women and what Happy and Biff think of them. An example of this is at the beginning when Happy is talking to Stanley. Happy says – “Strudel’s comin’” – which suggests that Happy’s view of women is derogatory, almost as if they are a piece of sweet apple that can be eaten and enjoyed, and then spat out when that goodness has gone. In relation to this, the audience could compare Happy’s views of women as consumable goods to Willy’s conversation with Howard, were he states that a “man is not a piece of fruit”, something that you can eat and then spit out when you’re finished. The audience is introduced the waiter, Stanley, who
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