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Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller

Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. The stereotypical salesman: n Aggressive n unctuous (slick) n sly n not always honest n phony

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Page 1: Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. The stereotypical salesman: n Aggressive n unctuous (slick) n sly n not always honest n phony

Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller

Page 2: Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. The stereotypical salesman: n Aggressive n unctuous (slick) n sly n not always honest n phony

The stereotypical salesman:

Aggressive unctuous (slick) sly not always honest phony

Page 3: Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. The stereotypical salesman: n Aggressive n unctuous (slick) n sly n not always honest n phony

Salesmen: How have they changed?

1940s-1950s– traveled– door-to-

door– large

numbers

Today– rarely door-

to-door– telemarketing

computers– not as much

traveling

Page 4: Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. The stereotypical salesman: n Aggressive n unctuous (slick) n sly n not always honest n phony
Page 5: Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. The stereotypical salesman: n Aggressive n unctuous (slick) n sly n not always honest n phony
Page 6: Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. The stereotypical salesman: n Aggressive n unctuous (slick) n sly n not always honest n phony
Page 7: Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. The stereotypical salesman: n Aggressive n unctuous (slick) n sly n not always honest n phony

Willy Loman Famous American character actors want to play him; challenge obsessive desire to succeed being liked/loved=success

Page 8: Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. The stereotypical salesman: n Aggressive n unctuous (slick) n sly n not always honest n phony

Willy’s family

Sons: Biff and Happy

wife: Linda= unconditional love

brother: Ben= material success

Page 9: Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. The stereotypical salesman: n Aggressive n unctuous (slick) n sly n not always honest n phony

Structure: “Inside his head” Present day: 1945

– Willy in 60’s– having troubles– Biff & Happy in 30’s– Ben is dead

Flashbacks: 1928– Biff & Happy in HS– Biff = football star– Ben stops by for a

visit

Page 10: Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. The stereotypical salesman: n Aggressive n unctuous (slick) n sly n not always honest n phony

Setting and sound House: open= realism “opening up roof

& looking in” lighting & sound/ costumes used to

indicate flashback flute music in background

Page 11: Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. The stereotypical salesman: n Aggressive n unctuous (slick) n sly n not always honest n phony

Writing:

How do you define success? How does society define success?

What do you need to do in order to have success? What are the obstacles to personal success and how can people overcome them?

Who are the people that you view as successful?

Page 12: Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. The stereotypical salesman: n Aggressive n unctuous (slick) n sly n not always honest n phony

Success!

How do you define success? How does Willy Loman define success? How does Biff Loman define success? How does Happy Loman define

success?

Page 13: Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. The stereotypical salesman: n Aggressive n unctuous (slick) n sly n not always honest n phony

Symbolism: Willy Loman’s back yard

1928

1945

Page 14: Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. The stereotypical salesman: n Aggressive n unctuous (slick) n sly n not always honest n phony

SymbolismApartment housessurround Loman houseBlock sunlightReplace elm trees

Page 15: Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. The stereotypical salesman: n Aggressive n unctuous (slick) n sly n not always honest n phony

Symbolism 1928

1945

Page 16: Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. The stereotypical salesman: n Aggressive n unctuous (slick) n sly n not always honest n phony

Symbolism

Stockings

-expensive

-Linda tries to repair the holes in her stockings

-mistress gets new stockings

Symbolize illusion vs. reality

Page 17: Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. The stereotypical salesman: n Aggressive n unctuous (slick) n sly n not always honest n phony

Act II opens in 1945

Willy and Linda discuss finances:

Why is this scene repeated?

Page 18: Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. The stereotypical salesman: n Aggressive n unctuous (slick) n sly n not always honest n phony

Willy: Mr. Fix-it

– Puts up a ceiling– Builds front porch– Installs plumbing– Gardens

– “Even your grandfather was better than a carpenter . . .”

– “A man who can’t handle tools is not a man . . .”

Page 19: Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. The stereotypical salesman: n Aggressive n unctuous (slick) n sly n not always honest n phony

Symbolism: ACT II: Why is the tape recorder in the scene?

--Willy does not know what it is--he cannot afford it--does not know how to operate it--Howard ignores Willy to give attention to his new “hobby”

The tape recorder symbolizes Willy’s inability to adapt to the new technology in the business world

Page 20: Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. The stereotypical salesman: n Aggressive n unctuous (slick) n sly n not always honest n phony

Dave Singleman

Willy’s inspiration Success until age 84 Willy says DS was “loved.” Died the “death of a salesman”

– On the train, on business– Large funeral

Page 21: Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. The stereotypical salesman: n Aggressive n unctuous (slick) n sly n not always honest n phony

ACT II: Howard

Willy’s boss/ same age as Biff Howard treats Willy same way Willy

treats Linda He calls Willy “Kid” Howard is boss b/c of his father Willy still focused on “he put his hand on

my shoulder . .”

Page 22: Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. The stereotypical salesman: n Aggressive n unctuous (slick) n sly n not always honest n phony

ACT II: Ben

Jungle= difficulty(business world)

Diamond=Rewardsuccess

Page 23: Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. The stereotypical salesman: n Aggressive n unctuous (slick) n sly n not always honest n phony

Symbolism: ACT II:

Willy wants to plant seeds: “I’ve got nothing in the ground . . .”

Nothing will grow; sunlight blocked: Willy can’t succeed

Page 24: Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. The stereotypical salesman: n Aggressive n unctuous (slick) n sly n not always honest n phony

Symbolism: Act II: fountain pen

Biff: “What am I grabbing this for?”

-Bill Oliver’s-Biff steals it-Realizes he doesn’t want it

Pen = business worldBiff realizes he does not want to be in business

Page 25: Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. The stereotypical salesman: n Aggressive n unctuous (slick) n sly n not always honest n phony

“Be liked . . .”

Willy: you must be well-liked/attractive to have success.

Who proves Willy’s theory wrong?

HimselfBiffBen

CharleyBernardHoward

Page 26: Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. The stereotypical salesman: n Aggressive n unctuous (slick) n sly n not always honest n phony

Discussion questions1. Compare Willy’s relationship with Linda

to his relationship with Charley

2. Compare and contrast Biff to Willy

3. Compare and contrast Happy to Willy

4. Discuss the portrayal of women in the play: Linda, woman in Boston, Ms. Forsythe, Letta

Page 27: Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. The stereotypical salesman: n Aggressive n unctuous (slick) n sly n not always honest n phony

Discussion questions: Compare Willy’s relationship with Linda to his relationship with Charley

He treats both badly:– “big ignoramus”– “don’t interrupt . . .”

Both are kind to him– Linda takes care– Charlie offers job

Both enable him– Linda doesn’t ?– Charlie gives $

Charlie understands:– “Nobody dast blame

this man . . .”– Linda: “I can’t

understand . .. He only needed a little salary”

– Charlie: “no man needs only a little salary”

Linda blames others:– “Biff, his life is in your

hands . . .”– “don’t you care . . .”

Page 28: Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. The stereotypical salesman: n Aggressive n unctuous (slick) n sly n not always honest n phony

Compare and contrast Biff to Willy

Both work with hands– “he was a happy man

with a bunch of cement”– “To suffer 50 weeks of

the year for a two week vacation. . .when all you really desire is to be outdoors with your shirt off.”

Both enjoy attention Both seek approval Both dishonest

Willy doesn’t change Biff has self-awareness

– “I realized something about myself”

Biff defends Linda; wants to “settle down”

Biff challenges both Linda and Happy– “we never told the truth

in this house”

Page 29: Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. The stereotypical salesman: n Aggressive n unctuous (slick) n sly n not always honest n phony

Compare and contrast Happy to Willy

Both contradict– “big . . . “nobody knows

me”– “getting married .. .can

never marry” Both exaggerate

– Jobs, women. . . Both focus on physical

– “losing weight”– “foolish to look at”

Both act superior to women Neither will give up dream Both are the unappreciated

younger brother

Willy works hard; Happy is lazy– 10-12 hours day– Cover yourself

Happy more independent

Happy feels entitled; Willy has put time in

Page 30: Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. The stereotypical salesman: n Aggressive n unctuous (slick) n sly n not always honest n phony

Women: victims or in control?

“pig” “gorgeous creatures” “ruined her . . . Can’t

get rid of her . . . Women as prizes Women used for sex

Linda = “foundation” Woman in Boston=

controls business Bernard, Howard,

Ben: wives Happy: “can’t get

married”

Page 31: Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. The stereotypical salesman: n Aggressive n unctuous (slick) n sly n not always honest n phony

Discussion question II DISCUSS WILLY LOMAN AS A PARENT IN BOTH THE

PRESENT TIME AND IN THE FLASHBACKS TO 1928. WHAT ARE HIS STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES? BE SPECIFIC

WHAT STATEMENT IS ARTHUR MILLER TRYING TO MAKE ABOUT THE BUSINESS WORLD AND AMERICAN SOCIETY? WHOSE FAULT IS WILLY’S TRAGEDY—HIS OWN OR SOCIETY

When asked what item Willy sells, Arthur Miller has said, “Willy sells himself.” Explain what Arthur Miller means. How does Willy sell himself to further his career? How does he sell himself to Linda? To Ben? To Howard?

Page 32: Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. The stereotypical salesman: n Aggressive n unctuous (slick) n sly n not always honest n phony

? How does he sell himself:To Linda?

Sales totals “ I would have broke

records . . .” “salary” from Charlie “I cracked him . . .”

To Ben? “we hunt too . . .” Shows off sons Shows off building skills

To Howard?

“I’m going to get one myself. . .”Named him HowardHoward’s father“I had a big year!”

Page 33: Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. The stereotypical salesman: n Aggressive n unctuous (slick) n sly n not always honest n phony

WILLY LOMAN AS A PARENT

Good intentions Attentive; interested Works to provide Controlling Overly involved Sees no fault stubborn

Page 34: Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. The stereotypical salesman: n Aggressive n unctuous (slick) n sly n not always honest n phony

Defining statements Willy

– “Big shot”– “I am not a dime a

dozen . . .”– “He put his hand on my

shoulder . . .”– “nothing’s planted . . .I

haven’t got a thing in the ground . ..”

– “a man who can’t handle tools . . .”

– “You’re the only friend I got . . .”

Linda– “attention must be paid!”– “How can I insult him. . .”– “Why did you have to

start that?”– “You’ve turned your

backs . . .”– I can’t understand . . .

Page 35: Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. The stereotypical salesman: n Aggressive n unctuous (slick) n sly n not always honest n phony

Defining statements

Biff– “I’m like a boy”– “I borrowed it from

the locker room”– “You gave her

Mama’s stockings”– “We never told the

truth in this house”– “What am I grabbing

this for?”

Happy– “I’m losing weight/

getting married”– “I get that any time I

want”– “I can outlift, outbox .– “I’m gonna beat this..– “It’s the only dream

you can have . . .

Page 36: Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. The stereotypical salesman: n Aggressive n unctuous (slick) n sly n not always honest n phony

Heroes? Willy Loman/John Proctor

Individual vs. society Both don’t fit Both make mistakes Both sacrifice life

Willy’s choice? Willy—wrong fit Proctor has more

regret Willy’s suicide:

motive?

Page 37: Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. The stereotypical salesman: n Aggressive n unctuous (slick) n sly n not always honest n phony

WILLY’S TRAGEDY?

HIS OWN FAULT Won’t listen Won’t adapt Dishonesty Jealousy Distorted image Narrow definition of

success

SOCIETY’S FAULT Poorly treated workers Pressure to be #1 Looks/popularity Looks down on labor Undeserved success No reward for hard work Leaves people behind