1. Death of a Salesman Arthur Miller
The American Dream:
At what cost?

2. About the Playwright: Arthur Miller
Born in New York City on October 17, 1915
Began as playwright at University of Michigan
Pulitzer Prize winner for Death of A Salesman
Double winner of New York Drama Critics Circle Award

3. Miller’s Legal Troubles
Suspected of being a Communist sympathizer
Death seen as un-American
Miller has troubles with the HUAC/McCarthy
Miller denied a passport
HUAC pressures NYC not to allow Miller to make a film for them on juvenile delinquency

4. The Saga Continues...
Miller convicted of contempt of Congress for refusing to name names And then...
US Court of Appeals overturns his contempt conviction

5. Miller’s Assertions Death is not a “document of pessimism.”
Death is not un-American; it celebrates the life of Willy Loman.
Miller believes that tragedy is “inherently optimistic.”

6. From Classical Tragedy
Unity of time -- the final 24 hours in Willy’s life
Unity of action - the play is complete unto itself
the tragic hero…with a twist

7. Also from Classical Tragedy
the hero’s traits, esp. being a mixture of good and bad and being of higher moral worth than others in society
the concept of the hero’s flaw
the hero’s capacity to willingly endure suffering
the catharsis of the audience

8. Initial Themes Addresses family conflict in post World War II America
Takes a close look at the price paid for the “American Dream”
Charges America with creating a capitalist materialism centered around a postwar economy
This materialism skewed the original view of the “American Dream” as envisioned by the founding fathers

9. Death of a Salesman and the American Dream
Death of a Salesman is considered by many to be the quintessential modern literary work on the American dream, a term created by James Truslow Adams in his 1931 book, The Epic of America. This is somewhat ironic, given that it is such a dark and frustrated play. The idea of the American dream is as old as America itself: the country has often been seen as an empty frontier to be explored and conquered. Unlike the Old World, the New World had no social hierarchies, so a man could be whatever he wanted, rather than merely having the option of doing what his father did.
The American Dream is closely tied up with the literary works of another author, Horatio Alger. This author grew famous through his allegorical tales which were always based on the rags-to-riches model. He illustrated how through hard work and determination, penniless boys could make a lot of money and gain respect in America.

10. Themes in Death Willy Loman as a modern tragic hero
An individual’s search for meaning and purpose in life (not Willy, but Biff)
failure in pursuit of success
Man’s need to “leave a thumbprint somewhere in the world.”
An examination of the materialistic values of society

11. More themes in Death
The love of a father for a son and a son (Biff) for a father
The conflict between father and son
The question of who shall wield the power?
the problem of communication

12. Add: Themes
Abandonment: The not-so-positive transient nature of mankind
Betrayal: Willy’s primary obsession (Biff)

13. Symbols Seeds: opportunity for growth, but will not always germinate.
Diamonds: Material & tangible wealth
The Woman’s Stockings: betrayal and infidelity.
The Rubber Hose: Suicide
Alaska, Africa…The American West: success and failure

14. Characteristics of the Tragic Hero
"A man doesn't become a hero until he can see the root of his own downfall."
~Aristotle
Six Characteristics of the Tragic Hero:
Nobility or wisdom (by birth)
A flaw or error of judgment (Hamartia)
A reversal of fortune (perepetia)
The discovery or recognition that the reversal was brought about by the hero's own actions (anagnorisis)
The audience must feel dramatic irony for the character.
The character's fate must be greater than deserved.

15. A few key traits of the T.H.
Usually evokes empathy…
Has a weakness, usually pride
Something has gone awry in his/her life
Usually faced with a very serious decision he must make
Noble in nature
Must understand his mistakes…
Likely doomed from the start…
Begins his “journey” as no better or worse than the rest of us…

16. The Common Man as Hero Miller’s thoughts:
“Everyone knows Willy Loman.” (allusion to the morality play, Everyman.)
“The common man is suitable for a tragic hero.”
Willy is meant to be seen as greater and better (at least in potential) than his society.

17. Miller’s Modern Tragedy
The hero is a common man.
The hero struggles against society.
The hero meets his downfall.
The downfall is a result of an incongruity between his own perception of the world and reality.
The hero achieves a kind of redemption in his downfall.

18. Act 1
An air of the dream clings to the place, a dream rising out of reality.
How does this serve to foreshadow Willy Loman’s life?

19. Major Characters Willy Loman Biff Loman Linda Loman Happy Loman
Charley
Bernard
Ben
The Woman
Howard Wagner
Stanley
Jenny
Miss Forsythe and Letta

20. Willy Loman Father, traveling salesman
Believes in chasing the American Dream although he never achieves it
Pins his failed hopes on his sons, Biff and Happy
Becomes mentally ill when pressure of reality crushes his illusions

21. Biff Loman Elder son, 34 years old
High school standout-football star, many male friends, and female admirers
Academic failures lead to a life of kleptomania
Represents Willy’s vulnerable, tragic side
Fails to reconcile his father’s expectations

22. Linda Loman Loving, devoted wife Naïve and realistic of Willy’s hopes
Emotionally supportive of Willy
Willy’s strength until his tragic perishing

23. Happy Loman Younger son, 32 years old In Biff’s shadow all his life
Relentless sex and professional drive
Represents Willy’s sense of self importance and ambition
Often engages in bad business ethics

24. Charley The Lomans’ next door neighbor Successful businessman
Often gives Willy financial support
Described sadly as Willy’s only friend although Willy is jealous of Charley’s success

25. Bernard Charley’s son Successful lawyer
Often mocked by Willy for being studious
Compared to Loman sons by Willy; they do not measure up to his success

26. Ben Willy’s deceased older brother Independently wealthy
Appears to Willy in daydreams
Willy’s symbol of success that he desperately wants for his sons

27. The Woman Willy’s mistress Her admiration for Willy is an ego boost
Biff catches Willy with her in a hotel room
Biff loses faith in his father due to infidelity

28. WILLY: I'm not interested in stories about the past or any crap of that kind because the woods are burning, boys, you understand? There's a big blaze going on all around. I was fired today. BIFF (shocked): How could you be? WILLY: I was fired, and I'm looking for a little good news to tell your mother, because the woman has waited and the woman has suffered. The gist of it is that I haven't got a story left in my head, Biff. So don't give me a lecture about facts and aspects. I am not interested. Now what've you got so say to me? (from Death of a Salesman)