death of a salesman overview

7/30/2019 Death of a Salesman Overview

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Death of a Salesman

Arthur Miller

The American Dream:

At what cost?


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About the Playwright:Arthur Miller

Born in New York City on October 17, 1915

Began as playwright at University of Michigan

Pulitzer Prize winner for Death of A Salesman

Double winner of New York Drama Critics

Circle Award

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Millers Legal Troubles

Suspected of being a Communistsympathizer

Deathseen as un-American

Miller has troubles with theHUAC/McCarthy

1953 - Miller denied a passport

1955 - HUAC pressures NYC not toallow Miller to make a film for them on

juvenile delinquency


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The Saga Continues...

1957 - Miller convicted of contempt ofCongress for refusing to name names

And then...1958 - US Court of Appeals overturns

his contempt conviction


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Millers Assertions

Deathis nota document ofpessimism.

Deathis not un-American; it celebratesthe life of Willy Loman.

Miller believes that tragedy isinherently optimistic.


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From Classical Tragedy

Unity of time -- thefinal 24 hours in

Willys life Unity of action - the

play is completeunto itself

the tragic herowitha twist


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Also from Classical Tragedy

the heros traits, esp. being a mixture ofgood and bad and being of higher

moral worth than others in society the concept ofthe heros flaw

the heros capacity to willingly endure

suffering

the catharsis of the audience


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Initial ThemesAddresses family conflict in post World War II

America Takes a close look at the price paid for the

American Dream

Charges America with creating a capitalist

materialism centered around a postwareconomy

This materialism skewed the original view ofthe American Dream as envisioned by the

founding fathers


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Death of a Salesmanand theAmerican Dream

Death of a Salesman is considered by many to be thequintessential modern literary work on the American dream, a termcreated by James Truslow Adams in his 1931 book, The Epic ofAmerica. This is somewhat ironic, given that it is such a dark andfrustrated play. The idea of the American dream is as old as

America itself: the country has often been seen as an empty frontierto be explored and conquered. Unlike the Old World, the NewWorld had no social hierarchies, so a man could be whatever hewanted, rather than merely having the option of doing what hisfather did.

The American Dream is closely tied up with the literary worksof another author, Horatio Alger. This author grew famous throughhis allegorical tales which were always based on the rags-to-richesmodel. He illustrated how through hard work and determination,penniless boys could make a lot of money and gain respect inAmerica.


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Themes in Death

Willy Loman as a modern tragic hero

An individuals search for meaning and

purpose in life (not Willy, but Biff) failure in pursuit of success

Mans need to leave a thumbprint

somewhere in the world.An examination of the materialistic

values of society


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More themes in Death

The love of a father for a son and a son(Biff) for a father

The conflict between father and son

The question of who shall wield thepower?

the problem of communication


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Add: Themes

Abandonment: The not-so-positive

transient nature of mankind

Betrayal: Willys primary obsession

(Biff)


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Symbols Seeds: opportunity for growth, but will not

always germinate.

Diamonds: Material & tangible wealth

The Womans Stockings: betrayal andinfidelity.

The Rubber Hose: Suicide

Alaska, AfricaThe American West:success and failure


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Characteristics of the Tragic Hero

"A man doesn't become a hero until he can see the root ofhis own downfall."

~Aristotle

Six Characteristics of the Tragic Hero:

Nobility or wisdom (by birth) A flaw or error of judgment (Hamartia)

A reversal of fortune (perepetia)

The discovery or recognition that the reversal was

brought about by the hero's own actions (anagnorisis) The audience must feel dramatic irony for the

character.

The character's fate must be greater than deserved.


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A few key traits of the T.H.

Usually evokes empathy Has a weakness, usually pride Something has gone awry in his/her life Usually faced with a very serious decision he

must make Noble in nature

Must understand his mistakes Likely doomed from the start Begins his journey as no better or worse

than the rest of us


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The Common Man as HeroMillers thoughts:

Everyone knows Willy Loman.(allusion to the morality play,Everyman.)

The common man is suitable for atragic hero.

Willy is meant to be seen as greaterand better (at least in potential) thanhis society.


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Millers Modern Tragedy

The hero is a common man.

The hero struggles against society.

The hero meets his downfall.The downfall is a result of an

incongruity between his own perception

of the world and reality.The hero achieves a kind of redemption

in his downfall.


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Act 1

An air of the dream clings to the place, adream rising out of reality.

How does this serve to foreshadow WillyLomans life?


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Major Characters

Willy Loman

Biff Loman

Linda Loman Happy Loman

Charley

Bernard

Ben

The Woman

Howard Wagner

Stanley Jenny

Miss Forsythe and

Letta


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Willy Loman

Father, traveling salesman

Believes in chasing the American

Dream although he never achievesit

Pins his failed hopes on his sons,Biff and Happy

Becomes mentally ill when pressureof reality crushes his illusions


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Biff Loman

Elder son, 34 years old

High school standout-football star, many

male friends, and female admirers Academic failures lead to a life of

kleptomania

Represents Willys vulnerable, tragic side

Fails to reconcile his fathersexpectations


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Linda Loman

Loving, devoted wife

Nave and realistic of Willys hopes

Emotionally supportive of Willy

Willys strength until his tragic

perishing


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Happy Loman

Younger son, 32 years old

In Biffs shadow all his life

Relentless sex and professional drive Represents Willys sense of self

importance and ambition

Often engages in bad business ethics


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Charley

The Lomans next door neighbor

Successful businessman

Often gives Willy financial support

Described sadly as Willys only

friend although Willy is jealous of

Charleys success


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Bernard

Charleys son

Successful lawyer

Often mocked by Willy for beingstudious

Compared to Loman sons by Willy;

they do not measure up to hissuccess


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Ben

Willys deceased older brother

Independently wealthy

Appears to Willy in daydreams

Willys symbol of success that he

desperately wants for his sons


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The Woman

Willys mistress

Her admiration for Willy is an ego

boost

Biff catches Willy with her in a hotel

room

Biff loses faith in his father due toinfidelity


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WILLY: I'm not interested in stories about the past or

any crap of that kind because the woods are burning,

boys, you understand? There's a big blaze going onall around. I was fired today.

BIFF (shocked): How could you be?

WILLY: I was fired, and I'm looking for a little good

news to tell your mother, because the woman has

waited and the woman has suffered. The gist of it is

that I haven't got a story left in my head, Biff. So

don't give me a lecture about facts and aspects. I amnot interested. Now what've you got so say to me?

(fromDeath of a Salesman)

death of a salesman overview

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