Context

Question 1

Arthur Miller

Answer 1

Fathers business was ruined during the depression and the family moved to a house in Brooklyn - thought to be the model for the Loman’s house
Miller knew the fear and failure and of financial collapse that had been experience and he was able to draw on this in his drama
Miller experienced poverty

Question 2

The depression

Answer 2

13 million employees were unemployed
Poverty and suffering were widespread

Question 3

The American dream

Answer 3

Problems in Europe led to people fleeing to America in order to ‘escape’ problems and to get freedom/financial security
Dream became capitalism
Some say it was misleading - impossible for everyone to gain prosperity
-those who weren’t successful believed it was entirely their fault
Poor were penalised, poverty seen as a sign o laziness
Didn’t take into account wealth one was born into or natural intelligence
Miller portrays it as the villain and superficial/meaningless

Question 4

Theatrical context

Answer 4

Saw ‘a streetcar named desire’ - realism and expressionism influenced DOASM
Incorporates the 2 so we see the events as well as the turmoil willy is undergoing

Question 5

Realism

Answer 5

Artistic movement - began in 19th century
Accurately portrays everyday characters, situations and problems
Language was close to actual conversation
Plays usually about social problems

Question 6

Expressionism

Answer 6

Reaction to realism
Portrays inner psychological life of a character, focusing on subjective view of the world
Lighting used to create an atmosphere

Question 7

Aristotle

Answer 7

Defined a tragedy as an action which is serious and complete, with protagonist achieving catharsis
Protagonist led to this point through harmatia which often takes the form of hubris
Audience go through 2 powerful emotions
- far (identifying with protagonist)
- empathy

Question 8

Tragedy

Answer 8

Represents downfall of protagonist
Usually protagonist dies
Tragic flaw which brings their downfall

Question 9

A domestic tragedy

Answer 9

Subgenre that incorporates classical tragic elements with a protagonist that belongs to the middle/working class
Focuses on willy loman
Focuses on flaw and downfall of the tragic hero
Play tells the story of an everyday domestic figure who could represent ‘any man’
Play is concerned with the human condition and the pressures of modern living