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Introduction

Death Of A Salesman Talk: 1. Death of A Salesman In It's Time. The context of post-war corporate culture-Its universality. A05 -w***y's flashbacks and 1949 present issues. - These issues are still seen today in 2008, such as mortgages, sibling relationships and jobs in society. -Even compare to people and television programmes, such as only fools and horses. Difference is w***y never does achieve his hopes and dreams. -Arthur miller makes it a very business like culture-Pressure. -Succeeding in Business-Dale Carnegie 188-1955. -A man, who talks about how friends come in use. -w***y doesn't only sell his goods and products, but has to try and sell himself as a salesman to make deals. -w***y is seen as a mediator, he is helpless and all his problems are brought upon himself. -Society at this time had a fear of the depression which had happened in the 1930s America was getting on its feet business was booming and people had money to spend on goods. -Businesses would sell to consumers and there was competition between consumers to buy good / quality products, this relates to w***y and Charley- (for example the refrigerator - w***y is tempted by big adverts but his fridge doesn't last) consumers compete against each other. It's like keeping up with the neighbours to have the showiest house and goods. ...read more.

Middle

- Emptiness and determination are themes. - Happy and Biff seem incapable of rowing up, they still see themselves as children. Biff sees himself as a kid after finding his father in the hotel room with the other woman. He's uncut in his own imagination. - Biff Loman is influenced and stunted by his own father-w***y, says he'll be different and grow up from his father, we get the sense he actually won't. Biff and Happy have seedy and cheesy dreams-Loman Brothers. - Sons reflect positive and negative of w***y their father. - Biff=Failure like his father? - Odd statements that only make sense in his own mind, he won't acknowledge he has problems. His language is a breakdown and out of touch with his reality. - "I'll whip you" violence in his language and a physical father figure. - He's a Death Of A Salesman Element. 3. Is it a Tragedy? - Flaw in the hero's character is needed to be a Shakespearian hero. - Different definitions in the dictionary argue and compare the meaning. - Tradgey: Indiviual of society/hero suffers a decline. - Hubris- exessive pride/over confidence. - Hero-faiing and undermining their quest. - Hero-in heart knowledge and recognition of themselves. - Loose kingly status or in Death of a Salesman his status of a salesman. - w***y's death isn't of his own mistakes but of society he finds himself in, the constant pressure. ...read more.

Conclusion

- Miller makes it clear that both Biff and Happy are disrespectful of women, but on the other hand have a romantic view and want to settle down with a women like their mother. - Linda is seen as the angel in the house. - Treated with some respect. - To what extent is Linda to blame? - Linda is too loving and protects and loves w***y too much. Even when he's wrong on a viewpoint, she knows it and keeps quiet. - De-stressing, as Linda takes this abuse and puts w***y before everyone, including her sons. She looses Biff as a result of w***y. - Linda is characterised as wife and mother. - She isn't foolish etc, but included in w***y's foolish behaviour. - All the boy characters seem to be fake and phoney. - Linda is very passive - In the first act, Linda has an influence on a living changing decision w***y had to make. - Linda is a realist. - Protecting w***y from the dangers unknown in the world. - w***y feels he lost out on his dreams because of Linda. - Bitter to her because of this? Or the affair? - Why did Linda stop him from going? - Suggestion that Linda wasn't part of this dream - Would be left behind - Loose protection and family around her - Financial security - No room for female characters - Fantasy is in the wilderness and is masculinity excluding women. - Household role. - Linda is suffocating w***y from excitement and dreams. ...read more.

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