AN ORDINARY MAN

Question 1

how does Miller present Willy as an ordinary man? (3)

Answer 1

• through the realistic technique of colloquial speech
• his job as an ordinary and unspecified salesman
• his name

Question 2

what effect on the reader does making Willy ordinary have?

Answer 2

• relates more closely to many readers (working class ordinary Americans) who are used to seeing typical tragedies with protagonists of high or noble birth.
• domestic tragedy - closer to home

Question 3

How can Willy, an ordinary man, be seen as a tragic hero?

Answer 3

• his determination to succeed
• his suicide as a sacrifice so he could help his family
• as a victim to the American Dream

Question 4

what does a domestic tragedy such as this show about the realities of capitalism? example?

Answer 4

• it shows a typically underrepresented side of capitalism and attempts to shatter the illusion that the American Dream is easily attainable.
• act 2 - scene with Howard - Willy loses his job and is humiliated - ‘cause you gotta admit, business is business”.
• represents the cutthroat industry of the capitalist system.