Why does Arthur Miller use time lapses? What is he trying to say about Willy Loman?

Arthur Miller wrote “Death of a Salesman” in 1949. For this essay I am planning to explore the structural devices used in the play. Particularly time lapses. The play is set in Willy’s house and the various places he visits in New York. “Death of a Salesman” has been described as a modern tragedy and it certainly follows the rules. Willy Loman, the protagonist, is the tragic hero with a fatal flaw; his defect is his supreme pretence and pride. He lives in two different worlds. In the real world he has fallen from grace, another rule vital to tragedies, but in the imaginary world in Willy’s head. The place that clings onto every happy memory just won’t let him drop.

During the 1930’s America was suffering from the great depression. There was little food and economy was down the drain. When America finally came out of this recession it had completely changed, large industrialized buildings had sprung up everywhere; it was all about big businesses and commercialism. Arthur Miller being born in 1915 had grown up with poverty and witnessed all of these changes He felt he had to write about it. I think writers feel compelled to write novels and plays to get across an issue experienced by them that changes your perspective on life. Willy had come from a small close-knit business that had changed and had become too powerful for him. I think people write books and plays to get across issues that have touched them, and I imagine that Arthur Miller wanted to write about this, he wanted to write a play about a little man lost in a big world amongst the webs of lies and deceit. New York was enveloping Willy Loman.

This is a preview of the whole essay

Arthur Miller cleverly uses time lapses to help structure Willy’s descent into madness. To help describe these flash backs, I have chosen Willy’s final escape into death, which surfaces at the end of the play. By this time in the play Willy has clearly become instable. Linda recognises this and tries to be delicate and tactful as if this will stop Willy from falling off the edge. I think that she just wants to protect him. The fantasy in this scene is Ben finally leaving for his new life, as for the whole play Ben has been trying to leave Willy but now it’s his time to go, as it is Willy’s. Willy’s brother Ben clearly represents freedom and Willy’s past. It represents the chance Willy always wanted and needed, but he didn’t take. He is very repentant of this, and like most moments his mind won’t let him forget this one. Willy conjures up these fantasy worlds to escape from reality but also to reassure himself that he is doing the right thing. But his conscience comes in from time to time, to try and bring him back down to earth and usually comes in the voice of Ben. The recollections in the play usually pivot around certain objects or phrases. These objects or phrases are skilful uses of symbolism. The symbols that Arthur Miller uses are often keys that unlock Willy’s memory and almost always are milestones on the road to his instability. One particular use of symbolism is Linda’s stockings. These evoke anger in him, which is not necessarily at himself but clearly unsettles him. It reminds him of the practically worthless affair and Linda’s faithful and undying love for Willy. Another is the tape recorder in Howard’s office; this characterizes the growing technology in America in this poignant time of their history. The seeds Willy is seen to be feverishly planting toward the end of the play signifies the constant reminder that Willy can hardly grow anything in his overlooked and shadowy garden. It is also a plea from Willy to be remembered even if it is by a few simple vegetables. Although what Willy thinks he will be remembered by and the aura of his funeral are two completely different things.

These time lapses, are used for more than one purpose, they are also used to promote what a weak pathetic character Willy really is. They clearly enhance his frequent need to prove himself. He thinks things can be easily covered up by quick fix ideas. The way to make Biff be a better son is to favour and spoil him. The way to cure his loneliness is to have an affair. All these flashbacks and the way they interfere with the real world obviously shows Willy is unstable emotionally and possibly mentally. Arthur Miller is not just trying to say Willy has problems and flash backs, which makes him crazy. It’s something much deeper than that. He’s trying to explain that Willy's problems lie deeper down than mere memories. That Willy idealises people and thinks he is like them. Willy believes he is a great man, when really he is just a failure and a fool. He also has problems accepting responsibility. He won’t accept it was him that ruined Biff; he won’t accept that he fails because he cannot move on. He will not accept it was him who didn’t make something of himself. Everyone realises this but Willy. Biff even confronts the man who brought him up so badly, the man who dented him and made him what he is today. Which is obviously very hard for him, but Biff has great pain and bad feelings as well as love for his father. “You are not a great man Willy and neither am I”. As I mentioned earlier, these recollections are used for Willy’s emotional and mental struggle, but not for just what the character is being perceived as, but also to give a great dramatic effect. It is perfect for performing on the stage and it is a powerful theatrical impression. This is somewhat lost when the play was made into film, you don’t have all the memories right there in front of you, in the theatre you get to experience the whole of Willy’s mind on one stage and it’s amazing. Which is why possibly, Arthur Miller had the previous title of “The Inside of His Head” in mind. Another good use of theatrical effects is the closing scene, the requiem. This is a powerful scene as it is a final strong reminder of Willy’s weak character. And how his constant lies and bad upheaval of deception has come to his bitter, wretched end. Which is why I think Arthur Miller chose to write the play this way. To let people leave with this fresh in their mind. To show how one tragic hero is really a pathetic liar when more closely inspected.

Kirsty Day 10I