DEATH OF A SALESMAN THEORIES Flashcards
FELDMAN (2003)
Post WW2 - “increased population = increased competition”
Business culture associated with sporting culture (Ebbet’s Field)
American Dream associated with the “jungle” - Ben “success incarnate”
“people who are well-liked will never want” - manipulative tool of self-interest - Willy gives back the culture he received in childhood - sacrificing love and friendship
Willy teaches his boys to “win” Biff is lost and Happy is a sex addicted “philandering bum” - his lack of moral is a breakdown of competition culture.
MURPHY AND ABBOTSON (1999)
Willy understands but is stuck in an old interpretation
STERLING (2008)
Historical vision of Miller through “his ability to synthesise past and present circumstances” - stage directions in opening: interrelated time: angry glow of orange, silver trophy, a dream rising out of reality, CLINGS’
DOAS debuted in 1949: USA healing from wounds of The Great Depression - Willy’s last success in 1928 related to this - pursues what he think has value
MILLER (1956)
“The values this country has stood for in the past…have helped to keep alive a promise of a democratic future for the world”
More than the American Dream - about want and hope for the future - not consumer culture but the possibility to live freely
