Act I in Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman."
Nikesh Kumar 1/9/03 Period 3 Commentary- pages 66-69 The purpose of this passage from the end of Act I, where the Loman family converses among themselves, is to characterize Willy and showing his development. Willy is being nice to Biff, as he hopes that Biff will fulfill the dream that Willy has always wanted. One reason for Willy's reluctance to criticize Biff for his youthful thefts and his lackadaisical attitude toward his classes seems to be that he fears doing damage to the ego of Biff. As a result, he keeps offering countless praises hoping that Biff will fulfill the dreams that Willy has for him. For example, Willy tells Biff, "Because you got a greatness in you, Biff, remember that. You got all kinds a greatness..." Another reason that Willy refuses to criticize Biff is because he fears that if he does, Biff will dislike him. This disapproval signifies the ultimate personal and professional insult and failure. Willy's consciousness is split between despair and hope, and therefore, it is possible that both considerations are behind Willy's choice not to criticize Biff's youthful carelessness. Willy's life is a failure for him and now he is trying to redeem his life by "The American Dream." He displays characteristics of a happy man looking for all the success he can find and puts his faith in Biff as the bright hope of the future. He wants his "boys" to be all that
Discuss Miller's presentation of Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman.
Josh Gunnell September 2003 English Literature Coursework Arthur Miller Death of a Salesman (1949) 'He had all the wrong dreams. All wrong.' Discuss Miller's presentation of Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman Willy Loman is the central character in this play of flashbacks and mind tangents set in the New York and Boston of the late 1940's. Miller's intense interest with Willy is in his protagonist attitude and belief in the American Dream, the belief that in America, one man can make it to be somebody and be counted for. Death of a Salesman has frequently been understood as a commentary on the American Dream and whether the dream's economic prosperity is truly available to anyone who works diligently, and the importance the dream places on material wealth invites selfishness and social injustice. Willy is a salesman, husband and a father. Willy has a tendency to lie to his children (just one of Willy's moral lapses), Biff and Happy, about the amount of business he undertakes, as the 'New England Man'. His wife, Linda, is a bit more understanding towards him even though she has knowledge of his lies and unfaithfulness. Her role as a loyal and often shy housewife and mother does not necessarily represent all women's lives in the 1940s, nor does Miller necessarily approve of the role. However, her behaviour does suggest the cultural notions,
Form and Structure in "The Homecoming"
Form and Structure Form is a convention an actor will use to get point across. Some examples used in "The Homecoming" are pauses and Juxtaposition. Pinter uses a lot of pauses in speech. This is a great tool to build up tension as that is what a lot of the play is based on. Pauses and silences give you time to see the feelings and expressions in the characters faces, as that can be more powerful than words. Pauses can show different feelings, for example awkwardness between people. "Teddy: Hullo.....Dad.....We overslept. Pause What's for breakfast? Silence Teddy Chuckles Huh. We overslept This shows there being awkwardness between Max and Teddy as Teddy has just shown up out of know where after six years. The use of the ...... is also frequently used by Pinter in "The Homecoming". This has the same effect as the silences except it is used in the middle of speech and give off a few more emotions. Sometimes when there are gaps in the sentences it implies that that person is lying, and in this play in particular, a lot of lies are told and the topic of them is quite ominous. "Ruth: We used to pass a.....a large white water tower. This place.....this house.....was very big.....the trees....there was a lake, you see..." Ruth may not be lying here but it shows that she is a very open person to be enclosing this information to someone she barely knows. "Joey: And
Since its first production in 1965 by the Royal Shakespeare Company, The Homecoming has caused much controversy, and to this day still raises much debate.
Since its first production in 1965 by the Royal Shakespeare Company, The Homecoming has caused much controversy, and to this day still raises much debate. Critics often hold different views on the play, and while some critics regard the examination of power as posing a feminist viewpoint by the end of the play, others would argue that the world of the play is profoundly misogynistic and rooted in a male fantasy of women as saints or sinners, Madonna's or tarts, mothers or whores... Martin Esslin believes that the play is indeed misogynistic and fixed in oedipal fantasy, but others such as Billington and Walker take a very different stance. These critics argue that Ruth is, in fact portrayed as the most powerful character, and through her actions is making a bold, feminist statement. Pinter paints a portrait of a male household, in the total absence of women and illustrates the effect that a woman has on that environment. He demonstrates how the male characters are torn between idealisation and vilification of the female sex, consciously exposing the whole mother-whore dichotomy. Pinter's play works on two levels, on a realistic level that reflects a socially accurate study of an all male and predatory family structure, but also on a metaphorical level that challenges the stereotypical role of women and male dictatorship. Ruth's rise to power and triumph is the main
Examine the relationship between Brick and Maggie in the first act of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof", is there any hope for this relationship?
Examine the relationship between Brick and Maggie in the first act of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof", is there any hope for this relationship? "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" a play by Tennessee Williams, focuses on a seemingly dysfunctional relationship between the two main characters Brick and Maggie. The first act begins with Brick in the shower isolated, unable to hear or communicate with Maggie as she tries to shout over the noise of the water, this appears to symbolise their relationship. Brick seems to make no effort and is "without interest" to communicate with Maggie, he seems cold like the water of the shower and the "snowy white surface of the bed", emotionless with his " detached quality". This contrasts with Maggie who makes the only sustained contribution to their conversation, in an attempt to save their crumbling relationship "shouting above the roar of the water". Maggie also drops in complimentary phrases into the conversation "honey" "Baby" in an attempt to gain a reply, with some emotion from Brick. This has no effect, as not only are Brick's replies short and emotionless, they are pernickety, and force Maggie to explain and justify every thing "why d'ya?", "Don't they?" which frustrates Maggie into answering snappily "Isn't that a good enough reason?" Tennessee Williams has cleverly used a name, which has similar characteristics to its character. Brick is
Death of a salesman
How can this play said to be about fathers and sons? In this play there are various relationships between father and son. As the writer, Arthur miller was Jewish himself the importance of the relationships between father and son are dominating in this play. One of the father and son relationships which are linked into this play is the relationship between Willy and his father, or, the lack of relationship. As we first find out on page 31 during one of Willy's flashbacks with his brother Ben, Willy asks Ben 'Where is dad?' This shows the audience of Willy's need to have a father figure there to guide him. As he had grown up with the absence of his father, when Willy tells Ben 'I still feel kind of temporary about myself' (page 35) this suggests to the audience that the non-existence of his father is the source of Willy's failure. Without a father present, Willy is not sure on how to bring 'his boys' up. When they were younger he believed that the key to success was to be 'rugged, well - liked, all around' but, in contrast we find out that this has not helped them during later life. As Willy had grown up without a father, for him, Ben took the place of a 'father figure', conversely Ben never seems to guide Willy or answer any of Willy's questions, 'What's the answer? How did you do it?' Ben replies with 'Oh, there's a story in that.' He never seems to give any support or
Death of a Salesman.
Death of a Salesman 'The American Dream´ is based on the 'Declaration of Independence´: 'We believe that all men are born with these inalienable rights - life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.´ (Thomas Jefferson, 1776). This 'dream´ consists of a genuine and determined belief that in America, all things are possible to all men, regardless of birth or wealth; you work hard enough you will achieve anything. However, Miller says people have been 'ultimately misguided´. The origins of the American Dream seem to have been rooted in the pioneering mentality of the 18th and 19th century immigrants, most of whom came to America because of a promise of a new and better life. In particular, the opportunity to own one´s land. But land 'ran out´ and so cities developed and massive variations arose in wealth, which meant that this 'American Dream´ changed from being a potential reality, into being a dream, like the name implies. Most of Miller´s plays are directly or indirectly about the American Dream, because ultimately this dream wasn´t going to succeed as lots of people wished. 'Death of a Salesman´ written in 1949, is a moving destruction of the whole myth. To be hard working, honest and have ambition were the ways of the American Dream. This lead onto success, wealth and in due time - power. But this dream for everyone developed, and encouraged greed, selfish
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
In Act 1, Maggie says, " I'm not living with you, we occupy the same cage!" Basing your answer on Act 1, explain what you understand by this statement. The play "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" is a play written in three acts by Tennessee Williams which focuses on the seemingly dysfunctional relationship between the two main characters Maggie and Brick. The first act begins with Brick in the shower; he appears unable to hear or communicate with Maggie as she frequently tries to shout over the noise of the water to her husband. This I feel symbolises their relationship. Brick seems to make no effort to talk back and is "without interest" to communicate with Maggie; he seems as cold as the water of his shower. This contrasts with Maggie who makes the only sustained contribution to their conversation, in an attempt to save their crumbling relationship "shouting above the roar of the water". Maggie also drops in complimentary phrases into the conversation such as "honey" or "baby" in an attempt to gain a reply, with some emotion from Brick. However this has no effect, as not only are Brick's replies short and emotionless, they are pernickety, and force Maggie to explain and justify everything. More than often Brick answers with pointless expressions such as "why d'ya?" or "Don't they?" which frustrates Maggie even more causing her sometimes to snap at Brick. In the first act we
A View From The Bridge.
The A View From The Bridge 'A View From the Bridge' was written by Arthur Miller during the 1950's but was actually set in the '40's when Italy were waging war and currently suffering from a depression. This caused many Italians to immigrate to America and escape their homeland's demise. Many Italians living in the U.S.A felt secluded from the rest of the American society. The government then restricted the amount of migration which resulted in large quantities in illegal immigration from Italy. The play begins with Alfieri, an Italian American lawyer introducing the story of Eddie Carbone. Beatrice, wife of Eddie is informed that her Italian cousins, Marco and Rodolpho will be arriving at their house that night. Eddie and Beatrice plan to hide Marco and Rodolpho while they work in America illegally to send money home. Rodolpho and Marco arrive and soon settle in. After a few weeks, Rodolpho and Catherine, Beatrice's niece become very close much to the dislike of Eddie when he, Eddie is very authoritative towards her and meticulous to almost every move she makes. This is shown during the opening conversation with her. He talks solely about her appearance. He doesn't want her to start work, he doesn't like the dress she wears which is too "revealing" and resents the way she walks calling it "wavy" amongst other things. As the play progresses his actions can be shown in an
A Comparison between Strindbergs Miss Julie and Henrik Ibsens A Dolls House
A Comparison between Strindberg’s Miss Julie and Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House Miss Julie which was published nine years after Ibsen’ realist play A Doll’s House, is an example of naturalist movement which tried to show that heredity, environment and social conditions rather than hard work shape an individual’s fate. Strindberg considering himself a naturalist and being an opponent of Ibsen’s ideas in A Doll’s House, wrote Miss Julie with a naturalist pessimism and rejected the idea of women being independent and liberating themselves from the unfortunate situations they were in. The physical worlds of the two plays are somehow the same. In both cases the space is an interior one and the scene is a single room fully described by the author. However Ibsen has used more props on the stage in order to make it more lifelike. Time plays an important role in the two plays. As the time passes the peaceful happy mood of the beginning of the play changes to a nervous one and the protagonist approaches her doom. We can feel the same anxiety that the central characters feel from passing of the time. However, the social worlds of these two plays are different. Strindberg has portrayed the world of aristocrats and their servants where the differences between the social classes is important and referred to continuously while Ibsen has chosen people who are almost of