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Death of a SalesmanArthur Miller
Death of a SalesmanArthur Miller
The American DreamThe American Dream
About the Playwright:Arthur Miller (1915-2005)
About the Playwright:Arthur Miller (1915-2005)
Born in New York City on October 17, 1915 Began as playwright at University of Michigan Wrote Death of a Salesman and The Crucible Pulitzer Prize winner for Death of A Salesman
Born in New York City on October 17, 1915 Began as playwright at University of Michigan Wrote Death of a Salesman and The Crucible Pulitzer Prize winner for Death of A Salesman
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Death of a Salesman and the American Dream
Death of a Salesman and the American Dream
Considered by many to be the essential modern literary work on the American dream.
The American dream defined: Country is an empty frontier to be explored/conquered. Anything is possible with hard work.
Unlike the Old World, the New World supposedly had no social hierarchies.
A man could be whatever he wanted, rather than merely having the option of doing what his father did.
Considered by many to be the essential modern literary work on the American dream.
The American dream defined: Country is an empty frontier to be explored/conquered. Anything is possible with hard work.
Unlike the Old World, the New World supposedly had no social hierarchies.
A man could be whatever he wanted, rather than merely having the option of doing what his father did.
Broad ThemesBroad Themes Individual Dignity The American Dream The Tragic Hero Identity Crisis Fantasizing the Truth Nature vs. The City Unrealistic Expectations Mortality vs. Immortality Abandonment Betrayal Imperfect Love of Family
Individual Dignity The American Dream The Tragic Hero Identity Crisis Fantasizing the Truth Nature vs. The City Unrealistic Expectations Mortality vs. Immortality Abandonment Betrayal Imperfect Love of Family
ThemesThemes Addresses family conflict in post World War II
America
Takes a close look at the price paid for the “American Dream”
Charges America with creating a capitalist materialism centered around a postwar economy
This materialism skewed the original view of the “American Dream” as envisioned by the founding fathers
Addresses family conflict in post World War II America
Takes a close look at the price paid for the “American Dream”
Charges America with creating a capitalist materialism centered around a postwar economy
This materialism skewed the original view of the “American Dream” as envisioned by the founding fathers
ThemesThemes
Willy Loman – A modern tragic hero
Biff Loman - the search for meaning and purpose in life
Pursuit of success, consequence of failing.
Man’s need to “leave a thumbprint somewhere in the world.”
An examination of the materialistic values of society
Willy Loman – A modern tragic hero
Biff Loman - the search for meaning and purpose in life
Pursuit of success, consequence of failing.
Man’s need to “leave a thumbprint somewhere in the world.”
An examination of the materialistic values of society
Characteristics of the Tragic Hero
Characteristics of the Tragic Hero
Six Characteristics of the Tragic Hero:
Nobility or wisdom (by birth)
A flaw or error of judgment
A reversal of fortune
The discovery or recognition that the reversal was brought about by the hero's own actions.
The audience must feel dramatic irony for the character.
The character's fate must be greater than deserved.
Six Characteristics of the Tragic Hero:
Nobility or wisdom (by birth)
A flaw or error of judgment
A reversal of fortune
The discovery or recognition that the reversal was brought about by the hero's own actions.
The audience must feel dramatic irony for the character.
The character's fate must be greater than deserved.
Dramatic IronyDramatic Irony
Dramatic irony is when the words and actions of the characters of a story have a different meaning for the reader than the characters of the story.
Girl going into the woods in a horror movie.
Dramatic irony is when the words and actions of the characters of a story have a different meaning for the reader than the characters of the story.
Girl going into the woods in a horror movie.
Key traits of the Tragic HeroKey traits of the Tragic Hero Evokes empathy
Has a weakness, usually pride
Something has gone awry in his life
Usually faced with a very serious decision
Likely doomed from the start
Begins “journey” no better or worse than the rest of us
Evokes empathy
Has a weakness, usually pride
Something has gone awry in his life
Usually faced with a very serious decision
Likely doomed from the start
Begins “journey” no better or worse than the rest of us
SettingSetting Year: 1949
Place: New York City
Story takes place in past and present. Past scenes occur through Willy’s daydreams. Audience would be alerted to time changes by actions of actors on stage.
Where characters are at on stage often helps audience make sense of how to make sense of scenes taking place simultaneously.
Year: 1949
Place: New York City
Story takes place in past and present. Past scenes occur through Willy’s daydreams. Audience would be alerted to time changes by actions of actors on stage.
Where characters are at on stage often helps audience make sense of how to make sense of scenes taking place simultaneously.
Major CharactersMajor Characters
Willy Loman Biff Loman Linda Loman Happy Loman Charley Bernard Ben
Willy Loman Biff Loman Linda Loman Happy Loman Charley Bernard Ben
The Woman Howard Wagner Stanley Jenny Miss Forsythe and
Letta
The Woman Howard Wagner Stanley Jenny Miss Forsythe and
Letta
Willy LomanWilly LomanFather, traveling salesmanBelieves in chasing the American
Dream although he never achieves it
Pins his failed hopes on his sons, Biff and Happy
Remembers the past fondly.
Father, traveling salesmanBelieves in chasing the American
Dream although he never achieves it
Pins his failed hopes on his sons, Biff and Happy
Remembers the past fondly.
Biff LomanBiff Loman
Elder son, 34 years old High school standout-football star,
many male friends, and female admirers
Academic failures lead to questionable choices
Attempting to reconcile his father’s expectations
Elder son, 34 years old High school standout-football star,
many male friends, and female admirers
Academic failures lead to questionable choices
Attempting to reconcile his father’s expectations
Linda LomanLinda Loman
Loving, devoted wifeNaïve and realistic of Willy’s hopesEmotionally supportive of Willy
Loving, devoted wifeNaïve and realistic of Willy’s hopesEmotionally supportive of Willy
Happy LomanHappy Loman
Younger son, 32 years old In Biff’s shadow all his life Relentless drive for women and his
profession Sense of self importance and ambition Often engages in bad business ethics
Younger son, 32 years old In Biff’s shadow all his life Relentless drive for women and his
profession Sense of self importance and ambition Often engages in bad business ethics
Final thoughts before reading
Final thoughts before reading
Death is not a “document of pessimism.”
Death is not anti-American; it celebrates the life of Willy Loman.
Miller believes that tragedy is “inherently optimistic.”
Death is not a “document of pessimism.”
Death is not anti-American; it celebrates the life of Willy Loman.
Miller believes that tragedy is “inherently optimistic.”
CharleyCharley
The Lomans’ next door neighborSuccessful businessmanOften gives Willy financial supportDescribed sadly as Willy’s only
friend although Willy is jealous of Charley’s success
The Lomans’ next door neighborSuccessful businessmanOften gives Willy financial supportDescribed sadly as Willy’s only
friend although Willy is jealous of Charley’s success
BernardBernard
Charley’s sonSuccessful lawyerOften mocked by Willy for being
studiousCompared to Loman sons by Willy;
they do not measure up to his success
Charley’s sonSuccessful lawyerOften mocked by Willy for being
studiousCompared to Loman sons by Willy;
they do not measure up to his success
BenBen
Willy’s deceased older brother Independently wealthyAppears to Willy in daydreamsWilly’s symbol of success that he
desperately wants for his sons
Willy’s deceased older brother Independently wealthyAppears to Willy in daydreamsWilly’s symbol of success that he
desperately wants for his sons
The WomanThe Woman
Willy’s mistressHer admiration for Willy is an ego
boostBiff catches Willy with her in a
hotel roomBiff loses faith in his father due to
infidelity
Willy’s mistressHer admiration for Willy is an ego
boostBiff catches Willy with her in a
hotel roomBiff loses faith in his father due to
infidelity