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A powerpoint presentation giving background information about Death of a Salesman.
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DEATH OF A SALESMAN
CERTAIN PRIVATE CONVERSATIONS IN TWO ACTS AND A REQUIEM
By Arthur Miller
Brooklyn, a borough of New York City, NY
At one time, living in Brooklyn was like living out in the country, but over the years it has been built up, with many apartment buildings.
After the Great Depression, Arthur Miller’s family had to move from an elegant apartment in Manhattan overlooking Central Park to a small house out in Brooklyn.
Setting
New York & New England
New York State & New York City
The 5 Boroughs of New York City
“[Death of a Salesman is based on] the concept that nothing in life comes ‘next’…everything exists together and at the same time within us…there is no past to be ‘brought forward’ in a human being…he is in his past at every moment.”
Arthur Miller in Collected Plays: Introduction
Time Travel
The play itself takes place over a period of 24 hours, but Willy’s memories often take the story back 20 years in the past.
Social Time (the present) takes place in 1949.
Psychic Time (memories or imagination) usually takes place in 1928.
When a character, such as Linda, is seen “as of old” she appears more like she did when she was younger.
Time Travel
One clue that time is slipping back into psychic time (Willy’s memory), is when the apartment houses fade out and the entire house and the surroundings become covered with leaves. The music changes as well. (See the top of page 21.)
The same actors play their young and old selves.
Time Travel
The Characters
About 63 years old Traveling salesman Father of Biff and Happy
and husband of Linda The tragic hero
Willy Loman
“The word ‘tragedy’ comes from the Greek words for ‘goat’ and ‘song,’ and it could well be argued that Miller has presented Willy Loman as a scapegoat or sacrifice to American capitalism.”
Philip Allan Literature Guide for A-Level
Willy Loman
“[Willy] is literally at that terrible moment when the voice of the past is no longer distant but quite as loud as the voice of the present.”
Arthur Miller in Collected Plays: Introduction
Willy Loman
In her late 50s or early 60s Willy’s wife Mother of Biff and Happy
Linda Loman
Willy and Linda’s oldest son 34 years old
Biff Loman
Willy and Linda’s youngest son 32 years old
Happy Loman
Willy and Linda’s next store neighbor In his 50s or 60s
Charley
Charlie’s son Around the same age as
Biff and Happy
Bernard
Willy’s wealthy older brother Willy hasn’t seen him since 1928 He has died recently and appears
only in Willy’s memories and dreams
Ben
This play explores issues from social studies such as capitalism, consumerism and the American Dream.
One of Arthur Miller’s strongest influences was the Norwegian playwright, Henrik Ibsen, who you will be learning about in Norwegian.
This play is an excellent opportunity to look at how writers achieve effects, especially through word choice and symbolism.
Why are we studying this play?
“I’ve come out of the playwriting tradition which is Greek and Ibsen where the past is the burden of man and it’s got to be placed on the stage so he can grapple with it.
Arthur Miller in Arthur Miller And Company
Why are we studying this play?
