DOAS Flashcards
What two reasons might Willy have for not wanting Linda to mend the stockings?
- Guilt over his affair
2. Mending stockings which make her look poor and, by implication, make Willy look unsuccessful.
When does Willy’s first flashback of the woman come?
Following the scene where Willy admits ‘people don’t seem to take to me’.
Why might this be?
He is remembering a time when someone did take to him, to compensate.
Why does willy daydream?
To compensate for the harsh reality in which is he is living by reminding him of more optimistic moments and seeking refuge in them.
What does Willy’s love affair reveal about him?
His lack of integrity- he cannot stay faithful to one woman who stays completely faithful to him.
How might the audience react to it?
A conflict between sympathy and despising him for his lack of faithfulness to such an amazing woman.
What was DOAS originally called?
‘The Inside of his head’
What does Miller’s use of dramatic structure explore?
The workings of Willy’s mind.
What does the manipulation of time mirror?
Willy’s fragile and confused state of mind.
How does this impact the audience?
It is disoreintating to watch, a more intense viewing.
Why are the dream sequences important?
They show that Willy is unable to distinguish between truth and fantasy and explains his erratic behaviour in he present.
One example of montage?
‘The woman bursts out laughing and Linda’s laughing blends in.’
Why is montage used?
The layering of sounds creates a disorientating effect, reflective of Willy’s mental state.
What do all the methods used by Miller make the play?
Expressionistic in nature.
What does expressionistic mean?
Greater emphasis on Willy’s emotional and psychological experience, as opposed to his reality.
In what way is the play cyclical?
Starts and ends with the same setting : ‘a solid vault of apartment houses around the small, fragile-seeming home’. End: ‘the apartment buildings rise into sharp focus’.
What is the impact of this?
As the apartment buildings are present in the stage directions at the beginning and at the ending of the play, it could be interpreted to be representative of the thriving capitalism, and consumerism of post-war America in the 1950s. Therefore, as they are opening and closing the play, it could be implied that capitalism and consumerism are all-consuming, powerful, undefeated forces. Despite Willy’s attempts to stand up to these forces ad face them, he has been unsuccessful as by the end of the play, Willy has died, but the apartment buildings are still standing. –> In his article ‘Tragedy and the Common Man’, Miller’s discusses how the play fits into the tragic genre- protagonist fighting against forces beyond his control.
The Requiem analysis
Arguably the point which defines the play as a tragedy, as it forms the resolution. It dramatises the failure of Willy’s dream and and it is only here that he is established as a tragic hero. This is a downfall that the audience have witnessed and experienced with him. Inclusion of the tragic element of pathos, catharsis with Linda crying at the grave ‘We’re free….’
What could Miller be suggesting by the requiem?
Perhaps Miller is suggesting that the world has betrayed Willy, encouraging him to believe in dreams and improving himself but ultimately refusing to reward him, instead reminding him constantly that he is insignificant.
Setting analysis
The house=Willy. It is described to be small, insignificant and vulnerable compared the towering and daunting outside world. Therefore, it could be seen as symbolic of Willy’s character himself and the fragility of the family unit. The ‘towering’ ‘angular’ shapes surrounding the house also suggest entrapment. The world beyond looms and engulfs the house, just as capitalist America consumes and overwhelms Willy.
Most important context points
- The great influence of the American Dream and the rise of materialism, consumerism and big business in America. There was a real pressure to succeed in America at the time.
- Miller’s father lost his business during the Great Depression (1929); his family had little money and moved to Brooklyn…the Loman family also live in Brooklyn and have little money.
Who is Willy representative of?
The common ‘every’ man, the masses.
What is the question that Willy asks ben in a flashback that tortures him?
How did you do it?
Which scene shows Willy is unable to distinguish between past and present?
Ben card game
