Death+of+a+Salesman

Some further resources which may be of use (I haven't had time to extrapolate from these so it might be a good idea to have a read through). > [] > [] >
 * ** Possible points of comparison for the Paper 2 comparative essay ** ||
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 * Elements ||  Death of a Salesman  ||
 * Background / writer / publication date / social context / genre || **Arthur Miller**, writing in **1949** after the end of the Second World War, speaks of times of change in America. His other famous works include the crucible, which was written about another American issue, the Salem Witch Trials. The play is mostly about the pursuit of the American Dream. ||
 * Subject matter / content ||  ||
 * Themes / ideas / authorial intent || The American Dream

Appearance versus Reality

Psychological Realism ||
 * Characterisation || Willy Loman is the first character we are introduced to and he seems to be a little confused, at first exclaiming that his son Biff is lazy, and then commenting on how Biff could never be seen as lazy. He seems to be slightly bigoted and his wife, Linda, is seen to put up with a lot of his antics. Willy is set in his ways, and this is established when he refuses the American cheese that Linda has bought, and demands Swiss cheese instead.

Linda Loman is the wife of Willy and is quite level-headed. She is the core of the family and holds them all together because their emotions seemingly overflow a number of times. ||
 * Character connections ||  ||
 * Narrative structure / technique ||  ||
 * Time scale / sequence ||  ||
 * Setting ||  ||
 * Lighting || Dim lighting is used in all of Ben's appearances, highlighting his distinction from real life. ||
 * Sound ||  ||
 * Style of language / techniques || The style of language used is very idiomatic-American which adds to the realism of the drama. Willy is of the Jewish faith and uses some very idiomatic expressions that reinforce this. ||
 * Symbolism / motifs || The **stockings** which Willy Loman gave to 'the woman' is symbolic of Willy's career and self-worth.
 * For Biff, however, it represents Willy's integrity, and the principles of the 'American Dream' which Willy preaches obstinately to his sons - violated through its lost, to the woman.
 * For the audience, the stockings reflect Willy's infidelity and guilt.

The **seedlings** which Willy plants is representative of Willy's desperate act of leaving something tangible, as his **legacy** for his family.

The **wire recorder** in Howard Wagner's office represents mechanical, 'business is business' world. It is the lack of sympathy and the worthlessness of human connection in the modern business world that drive's Willy's failure, deterioration of mental health and, in eventuality, Willy's suicide.

Biff's emphasis on the wish to "**mix cement on an open plain**" is symbolic of the down-to-earth, realistic qualities of life that Biff himself wishes for. This is brutally juxtaposed with the superficiality of Willy's 'American Dream' wish for his children, and his distorted views of success.

The **modern apartment buildings** surrounding Willy's traditional home highlights Willy's pressure in his career, and his failure to achieve success in the modern world.

The **diamonds** which Ben speaks of is a cruel reminder of Willy's lack of financial success. || //"We dont belong in this nuthouse of a city. We should be mixing cement on some open plain" -// Willy blaming himself for Biffs later failure as Biff rejects materialistic ideals of Willys dream. "//I am not a dime a dozen. I am Willy Loman" -// Willy's lack of self worth "//The woods are burning" -// Willy understanding that his near the end of his life. Willy pleading for a job, invoking his human connection with Wagner, is cruelly juxtaposed with Wagners insistence that "//business is business".// //"The jungle is dark, but full of diamonds//" //-// misperception of the American Dream //"You cant eat the orange and throw away the peel - a man is not a fruit."// - During his breakdown when he found out he was being made redundant. //"Be liked and you will never want" -// Discovering his mantra was false. //"I'm a dime a dozen - and so are you" -// Biff to Willy //"I'm the New England man. I'm vital in New England"// //"the man who is well liked is the man who gets ahead"// "//he had the only dream you can have - to come out number one man"// //"attention must be paid to such a man"// //"We're free" "button"// ||
 * Mood / atmosphere ||  ||
 * Openings ||  ||
 * Closings ||  ||
 * Costumes ||  ||
 * Genre / style ||  ||
 * Quotes and Explanations of Quotes || "//Mama's stockings" -// Biff about 'the woman' with his mother stockings