Death of a Salesman Flashcards
Aristotle’s 3 unities of tragedy
unity of time: play should take place over 24 hours
unity of action: 1 main plot, no subplots
unity of place: only set in 1 place
Aristotle’s characteristics of tragic hero
A male character of noble birth who experiences a reversal of fortune due to a tragic flaw. In addition, the realization of this flaw evokes sympathy from the audience.
Aristotle’s tragic hero experience
- Shows him that we are all tied to a fate larger than ourselves, and our own choices, and try as we may, we cannot escape this fate.
- Gives him a glimpse of the divine order of the universe. Order is often ironic and defies logic. In modern tragedies, the divine order is replaced with other elements of hamartia.
- His suffering has a meaning or eternal significance.
- He gains the strength to rise up to accept his fate.
Context: The Great Depression
With the crash of the stock market in 1929, America plummeted into the worst economic downturn ever. This led to mass unemployment so people moved the the Mid-West for jobs. This led to ‘The New Deal’ whereby the government gave people money to be spent back into the economy.
How is the Great Depression shown in Death Of A Salesman?
Death Of A Salesman illustrates the personal effects of The Great Depression. The shattered dreams are reflected in Willy Loman, who is unable to attain financial or emotional stability, despite a life-long career and marriage.
Context: Post-War America
- Technological Advancements: domestic uses.
- Baby boom
- Decrease in 18-35 year olds because they had gone off to war, so they had either died or come back physically and psychologically scarred. - Young men without a purpose
- Rise in communism
Context: The American Dream
- American-centric idea that America is a place where life is richer, better, and fuller.
- Meritocracy - equality but hard work seperates.
- Based in a capitalist society
How is The American Dream portrayed in Death Of A Salesman?
Reflected through Willy’s desire to achieve social recognition and material success, but his sense of optimism has long been frustrated, and technology which promised to make life better and more fulfilling ends up perpetually frustrating Loman. In the end, the promises of future ring honour as Loman’s sense of identity is fulfilled.
Context: Communism vs Capitalism
Communism is based on the goal of eliminating socioeconomic class struggles by creating a classless society, which everyone shares the benefits of labour.
Capitalism is a money-based society e.g. America.
How is capitalism vs communism presented in Death Of A Salesman?
Willy’s death is a protest to the dehumanizing system of a capitalist society that dwindles individuals into ‘a dime in a dozen’.
[blue light]
Act 1
- shows the contrast between Willy and the world
- also represent the sadness and melancholy Willy feels
- also represent a shift in time, from naturalistic to industrialization.
[A melody is heard, played upon a flute. It is small and fine, telling of grass and tress and the horizon. The curtain arises. Before us is the Salesman’s house. We are aware of the towering, angular shapes behind it, surrounding it on all sides. On the blue light of the sky falls upon the house and forestage; the surrounding area shows an angry glow of orange.]
Act 1
Miller specifies audio and visual details that present 2 elements of the American Dream: open horizons and home ownership. The house represents the fulfillment of an ordinary American’s dream to have a home and land of ones own. The set design and lighting directions call for a stark contrast between the house and surrounding buildings. Even before the characters speak the audience understand that the Salesmans’ house and their American Dream is under threat.
[it might be oh boy, oh boy]
Act 1
Shows uncertainty and a universal expression of exhaustion.
[lets his burdens down]
Act 1
Shows 2 elements to Willy: Willy Loman and The Salesman
The stage directions could allude that Willy has already fallen
“I’m tired to the death. I couldn’t make it”.
Act 1, Willy
Foreshadows Willy’s impending death
Implies depression - fatal flaw is poor mental health and his inability to seek help as a result of stigma around mens’ mental health.
“No, I see everything”
Act 1, Willy
Foreshadowing - Willy is blind to the truth which leads to his tragic downfall
“Work a lifetime to pay off a house. You finally own it, and there’s nobody to live in it”.
Act 1, Willy
reflection of failed American Dream
“Did Biff say anything after I left this morning?”
Act 1, Willy
Biff represents Willy’s tragic, vulnerable state.
Willy is guilty about his attitude to Biff. He is worried about Biff as he is not fulfilling the hope that he will succeed.
“Not finding yourself at the age of thirty-four is a disgrace”
Act 1, Willy
hypocritical as Willy isn’t successful, destroying his family. Another element of the American Dream is family support.
“a young man with such - personal attractiveness -…”
Act 1, Willy
Willy believed looks are more important than effort - explains their lack of success in the business world.
[He breaks off in amazement and fright as the flute is heard distantly]
Act 1
the flute is a motif for Willy’s fantasies
“fright” Willy is scared of his own delusions
[His dreams are stronger and less acceptable than Happy’s]
Act 1
Alludes that Biff is hopeful and optimistic, but his dreams are unachievable.
[sexuality is like a visible colour on him, a scent many women have discovered]
Act 1
Atrractive and promiscous
“lost” niave, lacks self-assurance and purpose
“I tell ya, Hap, I don’t know what the future is. I don’t know - what I’m supposed to want”
Act 1, Biff
Biff feels confused: he wants a ranch but doesn’t conform to societal expectations. He feels trapped in the American Dream
“Sometimes I just want to rip my clothes off in the middle of the store and outbox that goddamn merchandise manager”
Act 1, Happy
presents Darwian ideas and the atrophy of the modern man in a capitalist society.
Masculinity is presented through competition and athleticism.
“That’s because he likes you”
Act 1, Willy
Willy believes being liked leads to material property which emphasises his distortion of the American Dream. The dream promotes hard work and honourable standards in business.
“Bigger than Uncle Charley! Because Charley is not - liked. He’s liked, but he’s not - well liked.”
Act 1, Willy
Charley is successful when Willy isn’t, but Willys obsession with personal attractiveness means he will never see Charley as a success.
“Bigger than Uncle Charley! Because Charley is not - liked. He’s liked, but he’s not - well liked.”
Act 1, Willy
Charley is successful when Willy isn’t, but Willys obsession with personal attractiveness means he will never see Charley as a success.
“And thanks for the stockings.”
Act 1, the woman
Stockings are a symbol of sex and proclivity. Purchased by Willy, so he is taking away ownership of the stockings.
Gender differences - luxury consumer products.
These are also a symbol of Willy’s priorities, Linda is mending her stockings and woman has new ones.
“I won’t have you mending stockings in this house! Now throw them out!”
Act 1, Willy
Stockings could be a symbol of guilt and also a symbol of Willy’s views on his relationship with Linda - worn out, broken.
This also shows he views the women are interchangeable - hearing both. Shows Willy’s conflict/duplicity.
“I got a job, I told you that. What the hell are you offering me a job for?”
Act 1, Willy
Won’t allow help from others, his pride is getting in the way. He won’t allow himself to become Charley because he doesn’t view Charley as a success.
‘[Uncle Ben, carrying a valise and an umbrella , enters the forestage from around the right corner of his house. He is a stolid man, in his sixties, with a moustache and and an authoritative air. He is utterly certain of his destiny and there is an aura of far places around him.]’
Act 1
He is Willy’s dream, and a direct contrast of Willy. Willy wants to emulate Ben; he feels inferior compared. Ben is the perfect representation of the American Dream. From Willy’s perspective which allows him to biased about Ben - unreliable narrator.
“If I’d gone with him to Alaska that time, everything would’ve been totally different”
Act 1, Willy
Places blame on the one decision. Presents Willy as egotistical - he cannot understand saying no was his own fault.
“Why boys, when I was seventeen, I walked into the jungle, and when I was twenty-one, I walked out. And by God I was rich”
Act 1, Ben
The jungle is a metaphor for capitalist society. Animalistic imagery, hungry for money - dog eat dog society.
17-21: he became a man, in order to become a man, you need to embrace capitalism.
“Never fight hair with a stranger, boy. You’ll never get out of the jungle that way.”
Act 1, ben
Society is not a meritocracy, use connections to get through the world. As long as you survive, it doesn’t matter who goes down. Climb the ladder of power.
“Hap, I took his fountain pen”
“I just - wanted to take something, I don’t know.”
Act 2, Biff
Characterisation, Biff is petty.
Metaphor for academic success - Biff failed.
“Where’s my stockings? You promised me stockings, Willy!”
Act 2, The Woman
Highlights love Willy had failed to give. Symbol of betrayal
“I’ve got nobody to talk to, Ben, and the woman has suffered, you hear me?”
Act 2, Willy
American Dream, has failed Willy - false hope. He still believes the system will support him - value on death.
“I see it like a diamond, shining in the dark, hard and rough, that I can pick up and touch in my hand.”
Did represent:
Wealth
Capitalism
Adventure
Now represents:
Last chance for family by committing suicide
“Will you take that phony dream and burn it before something happens?”
Act 2, Biff
Here, Biff is a surrogate for Miller here. Reflects anti-capitalism dream
A warning, plea and a feeling of desperation
“The jungle is dark but full of diamonds, Willy.”
Act 2, Ben
Encouraging Willy with his plan and demonises capitalism.
“He had a good dream. It’s the only dream you can have - to come out number one man. He fought it out here, and this is why I’m gonna win it for him.”
Requiem, happy
Happy hasn’t grown and he shares Willys values. However, Willy changed throughout the play, Happy hasn’t.
Political point by Miller:
No matter what, there will always be people who buy into the American Dream and are condemned to make the same mistake.
