Download - Death of a Salesman Overview
-
7/30/2019 Death of a Salesman Overview
1/28
Death of a Salesman
Arthur Miller
The American Dream:
At what cost?
-
7/30/2019 Death of a Salesman Overview
2/28
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
QuickTime and a
decomp ressorare needed to see this picture.
http://www.pulitzer.org/http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/38/Arthur-miller.jpg/489px-Arthur-miller.jpghttp://www.pulitzer.org/ -
7/30/2019 Death of a Salesman Overview
3/28
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
-
7/30/2019 Death of a Salesman Overview
4/28
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
-
7/30/2019 Death of a Salesman Overview
5/28
Millers Assertions
Deathis nota document ofpessimism.
Deathis not un-American; it celebratesthe life of Willy Loman.
Miller believes that tragedy isinherently optimistic.
-
7/30/2019 Death of a Salesman Overview
6/28
From Classical Tragedy
Unity of time -- thefinal 24 hours in
Willys life Unity of action - the
play is completeunto itself
the tragic herowitha twist
-
7/30/2019 Death of a Salesman Overview
7/28
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
-
7/30/2019 Death of a Salesman Overview
8/28
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
-
7/30/2019 Death of a Salesman Overview
9/28
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.
-
7/30/2019 Death of a Salesman Overview
10/28
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
-
7/30/2019 Death of a Salesman Overview
11/28
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
-
7/30/2019 Death of a Salesman Overview
12/28
Add: Themes
Abandonment: The not-so-positive
transient nature of mankind
Betrayal: Willys primary obsession
(Biff)
-
7/30/2019 Death of a Salesman Overview
13/28
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
-
7/30/2019 Death of a Salesman Overview
14/28
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.
-
7/30/2019 Death of a Salesman Overview
15/28
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
-
7/30/2019 Death of a Salesman Overview
16/28
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.
-
7/30/2019 Death of a Salesman Overview
17/28
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.
-
7/30/2019 Death of a Salesman Overview
18/28
Act 1
An air of the dream clings to the place, adream rising out of reality.
How does this serve to foreshadow WillyLomans life?
-
7/30/2019 Death of a Salesman Overview
19/28
Major Characters
Willy Loman
Biff Loman
Linda Loman Happy Loman
Charley
Bernard
Ben
The Woman
Howard Wagner
Stanley Jenny
Miss Forsythe and
Letta
-
7/30/2019 Death of a Salesman Overview
20/28
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
-
7/30/2019 Death of a Salesman Overview
21/28
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
-
7/30/2019 Death of a Salesman Overview
22/28
Linda Loman
Loving, devoted wife
Nave and realistic of Willys hopes
Emotionally supportive of Willy
Willys strength until his tragic
perishing
-
7/30/2019 Death of a Salesman Overview
23/28
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
-
7/30/2019 Death of a Salesman Overview
24/28
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
-
7/30/2019 Death of a Salesman Overview
25/28
Bernard
Charleys son
Successful lawyer
Often mocked by Willy for beingstudious
Compared to Loman sons by Willy;
they do not measure up to hissuccess
-
7/30/2019 Death of a Salesman Overview
26/28
Ben
Willys deceased older brother
Independently wealthy
Appears to Willy in daydreams
Willys symbol of success that he
desperately wants for his sons
-
7/30/2019 Death of a Salesman Overview
27/28
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
-
7/30/2019 Death of a Salesman Overview
28/28
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)