Death Of A Salesman Flashcards
Expressionism
[angry glow of orange]
[a melody is heard, played upon a flute]
[surroundings become covered in leaves]
Biff quotes (8)
No, im mixed up very bad Im like a boy, im not married All I have done is waste my life I don’t want my pal looking old When I take off my helmet that touchdown is for you You fake! You phony little fake! We never told the truth He had the wrong dreams. all all wrong
Happy (8)
My own apartment, a car, and plenty of women but goddamnit I’m lonely
I just keep knocking them over and it doesn’t mean anything
I’m losing weight, you notice pop?
Loman brothers baby, we could sell sporting goods!
I think we’re going into business together
No that’s not my father. he’s just a guy
It’s the only dream you can have, to come out number one man
Linda (10)
[helpfully] oh, maybe it was the steering again
Should I get you an aspirin?
Life is a casting off, it’s always that way
You’re the handsomest man in the world
He’s not allowed to fall into his grave like an old dog
Biff, his life is in your hands
Should I sing to you?
I’m not your maid anymore
Why did nobody come?
We’re free…we’re free
Willy [10]
I’m tired to the death The trees are so thick and the Sun is warm Biff Is a lazy bum One thing about Biff he’s not lazy Can’t raise of carrot in the backyard Be liked and you will never want But it’s brand-new I’m fat…I’m very foolish to look at You can’t eat the orange and throw the peel away What’s the secret? I need to get some seeds right away
Arthur Miller
Tragedy and the common man
The common man is as apt a subject for tragedy in its highest sense as kings were
The heart and spirit of the average man
The possibility of victory must be there in tragedy
Structure
Aristotle‘s unity of time: Tragedy should take no longer than 24 hours
This play is 24 hours before Willy’s death
requiem= pathos
“That funeral will be massive!”
“Why did no body come?”
Setting
Small insignificant and vulnerable= symbolism of Willy
World behind looms and engulfs house= just as capitalist America consumes Willy
A kitchen with three chairs and a refrigerator
An angry glow of orange
A silver athletic trophy stands
Disorder and chaos
The strange relationship between Biff and Willy is due to
- Willies unrealistic view of himself and biff
- Fantastical views about past achievements
- Confusions about his absent father
I feel kinda temporary about myself
Biff as a tragic figure
He is similar very troubled and haunted by failure
Desires a bucolic and pastoral idyll
- screw the business world
- With the ranch I could do all the work I like and still be something
- Outdoors with your shirt off
Willys myopia
Willy has the myopia of a tragic hero
•” I see great things for you kids, I think your troubles are over”
He is blind to a harsh reality of brutal capitalist society
He sees economic gain as an answer to happiness
Ironic: he worked all his life and is unhappy
Happy has everything- and is unhappy
He is blind to biffs dissatisfaction
