Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman

Set Design Very innovative at the time (1949) Very innovative at the time (1949) Allows characters to move between present and past, the real and the imaginary Allows characters to move between present and past, the real and the imaginary THE SET ALLOWS MILLER TO SUGGEST THAT HIS CHARACTERS (mainly Willy) LIVE IN THE PAST AS MUCH AS IN THE PRESENT THE SET ALLOWS MILLER TO SUGGEST THAT HIS CHARACTERS (mainly Willy) LIVE IN THE PAST AS MUCH AS IN THE PRESENT

Set Design (cont.) The set establishes the tone of the play, even before the audience sees any of the characters. The set establishes the tone of the play, even before the audience sees any of the characters. A “fragile-seeming” house surounded by large erected apartment buildings. A “fragile-seeming” house surounded by large erected apartment buildings. The set is for the most part transparent. The set is for the most part transparent. When characters are in the present, they respect the “walls.” When characters are in the present, they respect the “walls.” When in the past, they can walk through the “walls.” When in the past, they can walk through the “walls.”

Major Characters Willy Loman – the salesman Willy Loman – the salesman Linda Loman – his wife Linda Loman – his wife Biff Loman (aka Bilff) – elder son of Willy and Linda Biff Loman (aka Bilff) – elder son of Willy and Linda Happy Loman – younger son of W and L Happy Loman – younger son of W and L Charley – neighbor (Biff and Hap call him “Uncle Charley”) Charley – neighbor (Biff and Hap call him “Uncle Charley”) Bernard – Charley’s son. Willy and sons tease him for being a bookworm. Bernard – Charley’s son. Willy and sons tease him for being a bookworm. Ben Loman – Willy’s older brother who has made his fortune in the African diamond business Ben Loman – Willy’s older brother who has made his fortune in the African diamond business

Major Characters (cont.) Howard Wagner – Willy’s boss. Younger than him. Howard Wagner – Willy’s boss. Younger than him. The Woman – Willy’s mistress The Woman – Willy’s mistress “Girl”/Miss Forsythe – a woman whom Biff and Happy meet in the restaurant “Girl”/Miss Forsythe – a woman whom Biff and Happy meet in the restaurant Letta – Miss Forsythe’s friend Letta – Miss Forsythe’s friend Stanley – young waiter at the restaurant Stanley – young waiter at the restaurant Jenny – Charley’s secretary Jenny – Charley’s secretary

The play Miller divided the play into two acts and a requiem. Miller divided the play into two acts and a requiem. The acts are not divided into scenes. The acts are not divided into scenes. The play is continuous, even when flashbacks occur. The play is continuous, even when flashbacks occur. Subtitle: “Certain Private Conversations in Two Acts and a Requiem” Subtitle: “Certain Private Conversations in Two Acts and a Requiem”

The play (cont.) Requiem: A Mass celebrated for the dead Requiem: A Mass celebrated for the dead or or a song or hymn of mourning composed or performed as a memorial to a dead person a song or hymn of mourning composed or performed as a memorial to a dead person THINK: Mozart’s “Requiem”

Act I Opens in Willy Loman’s house in Brooklyn Opens in Willy Loman’s house in Brooklyn Willy is 63 – we don’t know what he sells, and we never find out Willy is 63 – we don’t know what he sells, and we never find out The play opens with him coming home early – he only made it to Yonkers and turned around. The play opens with him coming home early – he only made it to Yonkers and turned around. Linda is concerned. Linda is concerned. During his conversation with Linda, we learn that Willy has had numerous car accidents and that he is emotionally unstable. During his conversation with Linda, we learn that Willy has had numerous car accidents and that he is emotionally unstable.

Act I (cont.) Throughout the play, Willy contradicts himself. Example: Biff is lazy, Biff is not lazy. Throughout the play, Willy contradicts himself. Example: Biff is lazy, Biff is not lazy. Biff has recently returned to New York from the West. Biff has recently returned to New York from the West. Biff and Happy are spending the night at their parents’ house and they wake up and strain to listen to the conversation between Willy and Linda. Biff and Happy are spending the night at their parents’ house and they wake up and strain to listen to the conversation between Willy and Linda.

Act I (cont.) Biff and Willy reminisce about the childhood and discuss the tensions that have developed Biff and Willy Biff and Willy reminisce about the childhood and discuss the tensions that have developed Biff and Willy Biff and Willy are in their 30s but act much younger Biff and Willy are in their 30s but act much younger They are treated by their parents as if they are much younger. They are treated by their parents as if they are much younger. Happy is a womanizer Happy is a womanizer Biff is not happy professionally Biff is not happy professionally

Act I (cont.) Biff talks about the conflict he feels between his desires and the desires his father has for him. Biff talks about the conflict he feels between his desires and the desires his father has for him. Happy suggests that Biff visit a man he used to work for, Bill Oliver, and ask for another job. Happy suggests that Biff visit a man he used to work for, Bill Oliver, and ask for another job.

Act I (cont.) Much of the action of the play occurs as flashbacks, with Willy responding to the past as if it were the present. Much of the action of the play occurs as flashbacks, with Willy responding to the past as if it were the present. Willy brags about how great he is and about how well- liked he is. Willy brags about how great he is and about how well- liked he is. His financial situation belies the success he claims. His financial situation belies the success he claims. Flashback: Biff is in danger of failing math. Bernard wants to help him study. Willy and the boys make fun of him for being a bookworm Flashback: Biff is in danger of failing math. Bernard wants to help him study. Willy and the boys make fun of him for being a bookworm **Willy says that **Willy says that Bernard is the one who will fail at life because he is not popular—a prophecy which will be clearly disproved by the end of the play.

Act I (cont.) Willy and Linda begin to discuss their financial problems, which have increased. Willy and Linda begin to discuss their financial problems, which have increased. Willy is no longer salaried employee Willy is no longer salaried employee Works for commission Works for commission Flashback: Willy remembers The Woman Flashback: Willy remembers The Woman

Act I (cont.) Linda reveals financial difficulties to Biff and Happy. Linda reveals financial difficulties to Biff and Happy. She also tells them that Willy has tried to kill himself. She also tells them that Willy has tried to kill himself. Biff tells Willy that he is going to see Bill Oliver. Biff tells Willy that he is going to see Bill Oliver. Willy encourages him to borrow $15,000 from Oliver. Willy encourages him to borrow $15,000 from Oliver. Act I ends with Linda begging Willy to get a job in the company that would not require him to travel. Act I ends with Linda begging Willy to get a job in the company that would not require him to travel.

TRAGIC HEROES ARE: TRAGIC HEROES ARE: BORN INTO NOBILITY BORN INTO NOBILITY RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN FATE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR OWN FATE ENDOWED WITH A TRAGIC FLAW ENDOWED WITH A TRAGIC FLAW DOOMED TO MAKE A SERIOUS ERROR IN JUDGEMENT DOOMED TO MAKE A SERIOUS ERROR IN JUDGEMENT EVENTUALLY, TRAGIC HEROES: EVENTUALLY, TRAGIC HEROES: FALL FROM GREAT HEIGHTS OR HIGH ESTEEM FALL FROM GREAT HEIGHTS OR HIGH ESTEEM REALIZE THEY HAVE MADE AN IRREVERSIBLE MISTAKE REALIZE THEY HAVE MADE AN IRREVERSIBLE MISTAKE FACE AND ACCEPT DEATH WITH HONOR FACE AND ACCEPT DEATH WITH HONOR MEET A TRAGIC DEATH MEET A TRAGIC DEATH FOR ALL TRAGIC HEROES: FOR ALL TRAGIC HEROES: THE AUDIENCE IS AFFECTED BY PITY and/or FEAR THE AUDIENCE IS AFFECTED BY PITY and/or FEAR

SYMBOLS Alaska, Africa, the American West Alaska, Africa, the American West Seeds Seeds Stockings Stockings Tennis Rackets Tennis Rackets Diamonds and the Jungle Diamonds and the Jungle

THEMES Freedom and Confinement Freedom and Confinement Illusion vs. Reality Illusion vs. Reality Pride Pride Appearances Appearances Success Success Visions of America Visions of America Know Thyself Know Thyself