Usage Of Flashbacks
James Kim (g)
In Death Of A Salesman, Arthur Miller uses flashbacks, dramatic narrative technique. These flashbacks are normally used to express past ideas at the current status quo, which help readers get a clear insight of the character’s background. The commonality of these flashbacks used by Miller is they are all based on Willy Loman’s old memories. They reflect on the audience as what is going through Willy’s mind when he is lured into this dream state and how this differs to when he has a reality check. Generally, the flashbacks simply represent what Miller thinks about during the last stages of life before he suicides. These past reminiscence and imaginary details expressed by Miller unveil the past of the Loman family and what led to their current state as a family. There are 2 main flashbacks that have significant impacts on the Lomans. The first flashback is when Willy falls in his “Living The American Dream” state where his sons idolize him and the distinction between Bernard and Biff is shown. The second flashback is based on the brief scene where Charley and Willy are playing cards and Willy’s inability to accept the truth of reality is revealed.
The first flashback made in Act 1 starts off with Willy floating away from reality and believing that he himself is a successful businessman and father. His self-esteem of being an idolized and respected salesman can be referred to the quotation: Someday I’ll have my own business, and I’ll never have to leave home any more.” Miller purposefully colours in Willy’s mind this mental state of having abundance of self-confidence in terms of his career. Miller wants to emphasize how this dream-like life of having such a successful occupation is completely different from what reality is like. He deliberately diverts Willy’s dreams into a completely opposite direction so that it because undoubtedly clear to the audience the need for Willy to have a reality check. In reality, the readers are already informed of the instability of Willy’s job and how he soon gets fired. The contrast between an unemployed individual and a successful salesman and the fact that for most of the time Willy believing himself to be the latter is what is being portrayed by this flashback. In addition, Willy’s high expectations and faith in his sons especially Biff is noticeable. When Biff says, “ He keeps congratulating my initiative all the time, Pop” this is very different what Biff’s position in society is. Biff is still struggling to settle into the world of business. However, the crucial fact is that Biff finds out his true identity in reality whilst Willy who is drawn into Miller’s flashbacks think highly of his son in relationship to the community. In this flashback, Willy imagines Biff and happy holding onto his suitcases entering grandly into his stores. Such imagery detail expressed by Miller can be seen as the representation of what Willy thinks of his son.
