Joseph Choi

„Death of a Salesman”Klausurvorbereitung

1. Characters and relationship

Willy Loman:63 year old salesman (has been working for 35 years in New England), living in Brooklyn, lost in false hopes and illusions, mercurial, insecure, self-deluded, aggressive (losing temper/”going nuts”), absent, ambivalent, exhausted, mood swings, aspiration to successWilly: driven by his own“willy”-ness Loman: “low man.”Illusion/hope: believing that personality and physical condition is key to success, AD, following the social imperatives, dreams: Biff, as a star football player; affair with woman, Ben, flashbacks of past yearsReality: haunted by hallucination and feeling of having failed, because of lack of success difficult family life, strained/stressed by immaturity and incompetence of his sons, physical and mental exhaustion, not able to continue working, fails to respond to love from Linda and his sons=> Illusions begin to fail under pressing reality, understanding sale profession but not his personal feelings, betrayed his soul, dreams as evading from reality: to accept his failure as Salesman and father; searching for answers, makes ultimate sacrifice to fulfill AD, always euphemizing

Linda Loman:Wife of Willy, dutiful, obedient, supportive, enigmatic, loyal, arbiter of peace, stands between Willy and sons, toughMore than love: feels compassion, love despite reprehensible treatment, admires her husband’s effort, but is distant from his ideas and dreamworld

Joseph Choi

Supporting illusion of AD: thinks Willy deserves a change, defends him, thinks he is doing wonderfully right, paying debt off: freedom=> aged greatly because of her difficult life, always trying to adapt, neglects the warning and searches for other reasons (suicide), never intervenes, suffering from Willy’s dreams, struggle between reality and illusion but cannot support or reject, she is the emotional strongest person in family

Biff Loman: 34-year-old son, once a star high school athlete, favored by WillyFailure to live AD: stealing at every job (kleptomania), spending time in jail, didn’t study, self-deception, underachiever, unable to keep a jobNatural dream: farm, nature, cattle ranch, he wants to separate from his father’s expectation, AD is not his dream, he wants a basic life=> conflict with his father: vulnerable, poetic, tragic side and failure of Willy’s expectation, raised wrong, confronts Willy with the truth/his failure; knows about the affair, realizing his father’s dream is not his=> identity crisis: seeking the truth about himself, acknowledging his failure, Willy disturbing his development, approaching the truth never told in family, personal growth

Happy Loman:Second son, seemingly content, and successful (work-orientate, respectable job, competitive, ambitious), but misguided, deludedImmaturity: hedonistic, self-importance, following social expectations, boxing, growing self-confidence, does not respect women/a lot of sexual adventures (loneliness), big egomindset: physical appearance determines social importance, not favored: trying to attract attention by imitating dad =>Ignores mental problems and acts pragmatically, feels empty und unfulfilled, apple didn’t fall far from tree, happy on the outside, but incomprehension in inside (name: irony, dad reflection on him by giving name), contrast to Biff (he doesn’t grow but is static), lacks self-criticism and analysis, cannot see reality

Ben:Willy's older brother, left home at 17 to find father in Alaska, ended up in Africa, found diamonds came out of the jungle as a rich 21 year old man, dead, appearing in hallucination, adventurous, lucky, humorous, precise, charmingName: English noun: hit or strike (Biff verbally, mentally strikes back at Willy)

Joseph Choi

Name: Scottish, Irish: mountain peak. Willy looking upon Ben as the summit of success, unreachable goalHope: shining like star, giving Willy peace and assurance, raising his kids after Ben’s example, conviction of AD, enthusiasmDespair/danger: intangible, distant, criminal, down-and-dirty, seduction, winning by cheating=> Willy’s idol, “devil”, false promises of AD, idealization/illusion of AD, Willy wants to justify himself/stand in good light and does everything possible to do so, Willy compensating his failures with Ben (orientation), Ben: more symbol than character

Charley:Neighbor, father of Bernard, good businessman, wealthy, important lawyer respected, admired, plain nice, contentious relationship with Willy, Willy’s only friendHelp: offering job and money, compassion, true friend, Willy’s dependencyWilly’s criticism: liked but not well-liked, disgusting, jealous, refusing to listen, not masculine=> Exemplifying honest success, voice of reality, good side of AD, contrast to Ben (angel-devil), nevertheless Willy is persuaded by Ben, Willy’s pride and persuasion don’t allow him to deny himself/reveal/accept

Bernard:Charley's son, nerdy, studying hard, looking to help Biff, not popular, but later successful, lawyer, happy, wealthy, intelligentPast: Willy calling him not well liked, not masculine, no fame leading to no successLater: Idealization of Willy’s expectation of a son, admiration, jealousy=> Willy’s confusion, incomprehension of his faults, instead of realizing his wrong approach, Willy is angry at his son, reflection of Charly, true friend to Biff

Women:White, beautiful, assistant of a costumer, Symbol of Willy’s discontent: boost for his ego, Linda liking Willy as a Salesman, failure to financially support family (stockings)Willy’s inability to love Linda: Unfaithful to Linda who likes Willy as a husband, => Willy’s desire to be well-liked, lack of self-confidence, more symbol than character

Joseph Choi

2. Symbols/Motives and Themes

Flute: Announcing transition between reality and illusionBeing well liked: wrong concept of raising (only key to AD/success)Boxing: competitive, threatening, cold world, without any helpStealing: compulsive drive/dream to possess material goodsStockings: Linda’s limitation/acceptance towards everything, Willy’s incompetence to respond to love and financial supportAlaska: physical and mental restriction of WillyTrophy: illusion of success by physical dominanceMoon/Stars: unreachable dreamDiamonds: endurable/quick wealth, success, suicide: going the dark jungle to get the diamondsLoosing weight/bench-pressing: Happy’s vainly effort to attract attentionRubber Hose: desperate attempt of suicide, Willy’s failure

Themes: American Dream, Abandonment, Betrayal, Death of a Dream, Pathological Desire for Recognition, Desperation, Lies, Pride, Freedom, Dangers of Modernity/Competition, Gender Relation, Solidarity, Madness, Materialism, Nostalgia, Growth

3. Analysis

What? (Action/plot) How? (Narrative techniques/cinematic devices)

Why? (Effect/intentions/message)

1. Willy Loman, driving his car in the night (00:00 – 1:30)

Blending in of title, actors and director (Volker Schloendorff)

Exposition

Car and Willy Loman Many perspectives/angles/zoom preferences (tracking shot, Willy from

Evoking interest: viewer’s impression to be omniscient but Willy’s mind is closed,

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behind and front)Seems to be “fake” (by purpose)

Willy’s monotonous, one-way life,Symbolizing Illusion

Willy: glasses, formal clothing, fixed eyes, hat, elder man, grey hair, Mirror does not reflect him (0:38-0:50)

Close-up, reverse-angle shot, static shot Introducing main character: Glasses+formal clothing: typical working business man fixed eyes/position: not reacting, doesn’t reflect on himselfHat/watch: desire of protection/authority he can rely onGrey hair: Aging, some kind of disease?

Lights flashing: blinding (other cars) and guiding (front lights of Willy’s car)

Play with shadow, unreal impression (lights are too regular)

1. Danger/Warning (other cars) are ignored2. Illusion of guidance is followed (own flashlight=American Dream), point of orientation, full reliance=> Foreshadowing/anticipation

Music: flute, honking Contrasting peaceful/calm music to loud Willy’s affinity/distraction towards/by nature, Ignorance towards warning, internal conflict of Willy

“Accident” Special Effect: Slow-Motion (single frames) Consequence of neglecting/inactivity: Finally Willy has to react to warning, but it is too late (death?), Willy’s lifestyle lacks perspective

Transition Fade-in and Dissolve “Accident” and nature (flute) is still on Willy’s mind

2. Entering the house + Discussion with his wife (1:30-7:10)

Introduction of home

Shadow and Willy in person Static shot, full shot, eye-level shotLight from the outside comes into the dark house, when door is closed light shines into the camera, Willy’s back is towards light

Shadow/Person: Split personality, Willy is just a “shadow” of himselfLight: Enlightenment/hope can not enter house (Willy’s life), because Willy closes the

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door and refuses itOver proportioned 2 big suitcases, dragging Willy down, small steps

Tracking shot, Willy is followed by the camera

Willy’s burden/fragility, house is not a place to rest, “carries” his problems insideDecision between1. Suitcase: hard-work/effort to realize AD2. Suitcase: give up, realizing the illusion=> Foreshadowing

Introduction of Linda Loman, asking questionsShe stands in the dark

Linda Loman is always available/waiting for husband => love and compassionNot enlightened, her support is strengthening the illusion and expectations

Turning on the lights Willy wants to “see” (searching for answers)

Conversation, pointing out of exaggerated dreaming

Willy doesn’t look at his wife => still disorientated, ignoring the warningTired to death: effort to realize AD hinders Willy to realize his exhaustion

Willy ranging the chair, Linda closing her robe (2:30)

Over-the-shoulder shot, vertical axis, full shot

Isolation and desire of arrangement, Willy’s mood fluctuation causing Linda to protect herself

Going upstairs, Willy: step by step, Linda shutting off light

Cut Willy doesn’t need new glasses: irony

Willy sitting down, undressing (arch support, suit), Linda helping himMonologue

Redressing

Tracking shot

Zooming in, high- angle shot Close-up, Sound of crickets and clock, whisperZooming out

Desire to let down all the burdens

Viewer can imagine Willy’s description, concentration on Willy, dreamingBack to reality/confusion and drive to work

3. Main conflict (7:10-16:11)2 children, Biff and Happy, criticizing their Dark room, behind-shot Failed life in regard to fathers expectation

Joseph Choi

fathers disorientationParallel to the conversation of the children, the parents talk about Biff and Happy, Willy looking outside/is disappointed of Biff, Linda is proud of children, house is hemmed in by apartment buildings on all sidesStanding up and sitting downHand gestures

Shot from outside, many cuts, Jump-cut Window/home frame looks like a prison: family caught in illusion, elimination of Willy’s hopesPsychological confusion/self-delusion: Two opinions about Biff (“lazy bum”; “he isn’t lazy”) and car (“piece of trash”; “the finest car ever built.”)=> Contrast between disappointment of elaborate dreams and wallowing in his fantasyLinda: dependable, kind, caring, always trying to evade conflicts (“Pssscht”), has learned to suppress dissatisfactionCuts helping to underline conflict

Children’s room, Talking about childhood/dreams/women, smoking/Main conflict

Reverse-angle shot, mirror and boxing gloves

Main conflict: between Biff Loman and his father: Biff's incapability to live up to his father's expectations, not yet "found himself.", remains an adolescent=> Both of the children have not matured, Biff ’s conflict to fulfill expectation and inability, emotional development does not mirror physics=> Foreshadowing of following development, lost opportunities of every character in family

Willy’s upset and dissatisfaction with Cheese, Window and lack of nature

Both looking outside window Desire of past times, freedom and natureOverview on Willy’s hopeless situation,

Joseph Choi

Willy’s explosion, other apartments are visible, constriction

Zooming out, high-angle shot, tilt-upHouse is fake

shouting for freedom, dissatisfaction towards AD but inability to change (he looks small and fragile), craziness

Reference to Edison and Goodrich Coupe sitting on bed, Full shot Willy tries to solve his problems (exhaustion) with the roots of the problems (working too much), (Edison: symbol/ideal of AD)

Monologue, Chevy Zooming in, Close-up, Music Falling into his dreams again, illusion become reality, he ignores wife (reality)

Dialogue between Happy and Biff, dream of countryside, “it gets like bowling”, Happy in mirror

Cuts and jump-cuts when different opinions occur, full shot of both when they talk about reality (capitalized world)

Dissatisfaction, desire of freedomImmaturity:Happy: work-orientated/respectable job, sexual desire/does not respect women, Happy (name): being hedonistic, self-importance and following social expectations, wants Biff to go to sleep, growing self-confidence, mindset: the physical appearance determines social importance=> ignores mental problems and act pragmatically, but feels empty und unfulfilledBiff: wants a change, but puts his hands up in resignation (11:45), descending self-confidence, does not feel mature because of failure in being adult (e.g. having job/income)

Willy carrying a tire High-angle shot Willy in his dream world, cannot pull tire up => Past is not alive anymore, but he doesn’t mind, the transition to this illusion of the

Joseph Choi

past, Biff judging from above: Criticism towards Willy to live an illusion, but ironically they both live the same life(lantern: ironic symbol of enlightenment

4. Entering the kitchen (reality) + Entering the past (illusion) (16:11-25:05)

First visible dream

Fake kitchen, walking around Tracking shot, medium shot, music Distance from reality by disorientation,Talking to Biff in the past, laughing, satisfied facial expression, On the cusp to enter dream-world, seeing/talking to things that are not visible

Close-up, music: soft, peacefulMany cuts, medium shots1. Reality: cold, dark background 2. Unreal colors, bright, vintagezoom-in

Dreaming gives him feeling of happiness and security, because he lives in his dream world he is able to endure the cold world, praises Biff ’s athleticismWilly puts on his glasses: ironic, because he believes to see reality, but in real he is blinded (18:29)

Incoherent time, transition of real to fictional worldBiff (captain of football team) and Happy are athletic/popular and make his dad proudBarney: worried, that Biff will not manage to get his exam straight, liked but not well-likedBiff having the logo of the University of Virginia on his sneakersHarmonic relationshipWilly giving suitcases to Biff and Happy

Flashback:Climax, music: crescendo, percussion, jumping, idyllicSetting: 2 trees, Chevy, basketball basket, fence is bordering the garden from city (dark skyscrapers, a lot of buildings)Biff and Happy dressed childish, but the same actorsFake setting

Gift: punching bag/Doesn’t punish theft of ball: appearance is more important/key to success than talent or achievementsTelling great achievements (talk wit major, popularity): probably a lie (19:24 there is a hole in the fence: border is broken)He wants to found his own business company (dream is to work), wooden thing: to create his own things“I’ll show you all the towns”(20:02 in the background the buildings are visible: the dream of the trip/AD is a danger)“With you boys carryn’ my bags. What a sensation” (20:17 again the hole: Willy’s

Joseph Choi

vision will determine future of the children (bag: working world), the dark world (city life) will enter their lives)=> not the real past, but the imaginary dream world, utopiaBarney (typical nerd: glasses, way he dresses, anemic, contrast to Biff and Happy) warns: With outer appearance one can’t achieve anything (same actors: they stayed mentally the same)=> Reasons of immaturity and dissatisfaction, Flashback as imaginary dreams

Dialogue with Linda, Happy bench-pressing in the background (wants to draw attention),Cost of living, Willy is not self-confident/self-criticism/comparison, but Linda supports him, jealous of Uncle Charly

Music:1. Tracking shot, medium shot with bothprotagonists2. Full-shot but separate (Willy in front of door): resembles of first scene

Happy is neglected, Biff is favored by Willy => Happy currently simulates Biff in high school age1. Loving and caring Linda as a wife: “You are the handsomest”, “Darling” 2. Linda supporting illusion of AD, Willy as Salesman: “Next week you will do better” ”You are doing wonderful”happy and secureWilly searching for answers, cannot completely deny his current/real situation=> searching for the mistake in his lifeWilly trying to be well-liked by showing honest feeling but by being the salesman

Linda subtracting Willy’s income Anticlimax Dream falls apart, Problems accumulateLinda showing risk and dangers, but

Joseph Choi

reassuring belief in Willy’s competenceWilly’s self-assurance (“it’s a fine machine”): persuasion of material success and AD

5. Daydream (play within a play)(25:05-26:29)

Laughter, Zoom-In, Close-Up, Mirror, Fade-In of Hotel in Boston

Mirror: Entrance to daydream, self-reflection/Willy’s split personality

“I want to grab you sometimes and just kiss the life outa you”Daydream: Affair with a Woman (Willy’s mistress/secretary of a buyer).Willy loves being called “sweet” and a “kidder”

Erotic music, women in white, Bed Father’s example for HappyThe Women: symbol of Willy’s discontent (contrast of Women liking and laughing at Willy and Willy telling his problems)Unfaithful to Linda who likes Willy as a husband, Linda likes Willy as a Salesman=> Willy’s desire to be well-liked, unable to respond to Linda’s love, Women (white: ideal utopia), representing his failure, Willy is trying to “sell” himself

Wily returns to conversation, doesn’t want Linda to mend stockings.Bernard urges Biff to study1. Enraged about Biff ’s behavior (women, stealing) 2. “He’s got spirit, personality”

Fade-Out, Willy running round, quitting and entering house

Willy realizes he cannot respond to Linda’s love and his incapability to financially support the household.Contrast between Biff and Happy, but Willy does not know how to decide=> denial (“Shut up”) and indiscretion are reasons of problems in the future

6. Dispute with Happy (27:22-28:39)Flashback fades, Happy coming down the stairsPraising Ben (dead brother) who made a lot

Cut, Again the cold/dark kitchen, contrast to kitchen in the past, high-angle shot

Ben: idealization/illusion of AD, white clothes: utopia/angel to Willy, height: superiority, unattainability, intangibility

Joseph Choi

of money out of nothing. black bow: looks like gloriole (Ben acting like Messiah, but being the devil)

Willy drinking milk out of the glass (on the chair), Happy drinking from the bottle (standing)(28:13)Willy wants his children to be like Ben

Medium shot Happy does not put value on behavior/ no respect towards ethic codex, Willy taught him wrongPressure on his kids to be successful and to aim for AD

7. Decision between Ben and Charley (28:39-32:18)Charley (father of Ben) visiting to check on Willy taking his medicine

Willy coming from the other house (background)

Willy and Happy denying discussion: don’t accept help of Charley, repressing problemsMedicine: actually Willy needs help

They start playing cards.Charley, feeling compassion for Willy, offers him a job. Willy insulting Charley.

Reverse-angle shot Cards: tactical game, representing the concept/plan of Willy and CharleyCharley intervening (29:35) in Willy’s cards: Charley wants to help him/improve his planWilly is cheating (30:29): He wants to know the secret of Charley’s plan, but is too jealous (causing the insult and dislike) to accept his help, although Charley offers him a job and shows his cards (30:31)

Willy calling Charley “Ben”semi-daydreamconverses with Charley and his dead brother and loses game

Music announcing daydream, Ben appearing in the entrance (camera is panning to the left), fuzzy shot

Charley and Ben are similar, but instead of accepting Charley’s help, Willy wants to live the utopic and unachievable (fuzzy shot) life of BenLost game: wrong decision to follow Ben

8. Ben’s influence on Loman family

Joseph Choi

(32:18-37:08)Memory of Ben (he was waiting for Ben) Flashback, Smiling Willy and hands to fist,

Family in the gardenIllusion gives him hope and peace, wants to be well liked by Ben and know his plan, Willy wants to impress Ben with his sons (looking for self-assurance) and wants them to learn from Ben: AD as the aim

Willy’s and Ben’s father who had a primitive job followed a gold rush in Alaska

Flute, Ben sitting down, Camera panning to the right showing the happy family

Like father, like son. Family following the/ fascinated by utopia of AD

Wrestling between Biff and BenBen uses a trick to knock him down and threatening him with his umbrella

Camera panning vertically: impression of a box-fight

Corrupt, down-and-dirty and criminal Ben => criticism towards AD (dream cannot be achieved by effort), Danger of AD, Biff will be knocked down (fail), his resistance (boxing) is futileUmbrella should protect, but it is attacking

Willy trying to impress Ben by sending his sons to steal

Willy’s conviction of raising his sons right, following Ben’s morale and ignoring Charley’s and Linda’s concern and policemen’s whistle

Willy begging Ben to stay and to give him advises how to raise his kids.

(36:04): Dream fading, Darkness, Close-up, Ben in the background, Light from the house of Charley and Ben is reflected on Ben’s house, Zoom-out

Willy realizing hopeless situation, but still gains hope out of BenJungle: competitive, hard world (full of boxers)Light: True friend is Charley, Ben standing next to reflection: illusion, false guidance, but as Will does not see it, he cannot realize the wrong strategy to grow his kids

Ben hurries to catch his train, telling his fortune by going into the jungle

Ben in the entrance, Spotlight on his face, standing in the bright light, voice with echo,

Intangible imaginary, Willy’s compulsive adherence in his illusion, which abandons

Joseph Choi

music: harp, strings and wind section, mysterious, dangerous

him

9. Dispute between Biff and Willy (37:08-48:09)

Flashbacks dissolve Willy having larger dementia

Willy walking out with his slippers, Biff, Happy and Linda are coming downstairs, lost watch with diamonds

Willy going out of the sight Motivated by Ben’s appearance, Willy decides to go into the “jungle”, despite his age=> desperate attempt to change his life, but he doesn’t have the physical condition (slipper, sleeping pajama)diamonds: wealth, being successful

Dispute between Biff and Willy Biff reminding Willy of his failures as a father and as a businessman, wants Biff to be successful, sees in him the hope and ideal life he missedBiff cannot fulfill expectations, instead he is detained to enjoy his own life/dreams

Biff’s and Happy’s immaturity“philandering bum.” => Biff offering to stay at homeLinda wants Biff to decidemental unbalance and exhaustion (burnout) of Willy resulting from provision and not being well-liked => he has to borrow money from Charley

Linda: Willy’s only defender/utterly supporting him, because her existence completely relies on him (strong feelings for Willy, but also immaturity and inferiority) (grey hair: Linda suffers/ages)Accusation of society and sons

Revealing of failed suicide attempts (rubber hose)“Women”

Willy as failed Salesman and father, Linda is not capable of helping Willy/change himMisunderstood of “women”, anticipation of Biff ’s knowledge of affair

Joseph Choi

10. Business plan and new hope (48:09-57:30)Business plan (selling sporting goods), Willy brightening immediately.“Florida idea”

Linda’s head down on her arm: resignation, inability of standing against

Biff and Happy want to make money out of their physical appearance /youth glorysymbolizing his own failureHappy’s immaturity by giving useless guidelines

Willy insults Biff Failure of Biff making Willy sad,

Willy wants Linda to shut up (she is trying to help) and Happy shutting Willy up

Hand gesture, Refrigerator is open Willy doesn’t allow her wife to develop herself, Happy imitating himRefrigerator: symbol of AD, the dream (coldness) is fleeing

Biff removing rubber hose Biff is gibing Willy hope to live on, he concentrates on his duty to accept Willy’s concept, but in reality it is not what he wants

Last dialogue: Willy talking about Lomans’ fame, He can see the moon

Zoom-In, Clos-Up, Music Willy ignoring Linda (she wants to sing), wants to sleep (evade from problems),New hope/illusion/praise physical,Now he can see the moon: It’s not the hope but a distant unreachable dream

http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/salesman/http://www.rither.de/a/englisch/miller-arthur/death-of-a-salesman