death of a salesman arthur miller the american dream: at what cost? the american dream: at what...
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Death of a SalesmanArthur Miller
Death of a SalesmanArthur Miller
The American Dream:At what cost?
The American Dream:At what cost?
THE PLAYTHE PLAYDeath of a Salesman,Miller’s most famous
work, addresses the painful conflicts within one family, but it also tackles larger issues regarding American national values. The play examines the cost of blind faith in the American Dream, that success and status are rights, not earned privileges.
Death of a Salesman,Miller’s most famous work, addresses the painful conflicts within one family, but it also tackles larger issues regarding American national values. The play examines the cost of blind faith in the American Dream, that success and status are rights, not earned privileges.
About the Playwright:Arthur Miller
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
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
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Miller’s Legal TroublesMiller’s Legal TroublesSuspected of being a Communist
sympathizerDeath seen as un-AmericanMiller has troubles with the House
of Unamerican Activity/McCarthy1953 - Miller denied a passport1955 - HUAC pressures NYC not to
allow Miller to make a film for them on juvenile delinquency
Suspected of being a Communist sympathizer
Death seen as un-AmericanMiller has troubles with the House
of Unamerican Activity/McCarthy1953 - Miller denied a passport1955 - HUAC pressures NYC not to
allow Miller to make a film for them on juvenile delinquency
The Saga Continues...The Saga Continues... 1957 - Miller convicted
of contempt of Congress for refusing to name names And then...
1958 - US Court of Appeals overturns his contempt conviction
1957 - Miller convicted of contempt of Congress for refusing to name names And then...
1958 - US Court of Appeals overturns his contempt conviction
ARTHUR MILLER ARTHUR MILLER He published The
Crucible in 1953, a searing indictment of the anti-Communist hysteria that pervaded 1950s America, which is set during the Salem Witch Trials of 1690. Miller is also famous for having been one of Marilyn Monroe’s husbands! He died in 2005.
He published The Crucible in 1953, a searing indictment of the anti-Communist hysteria that pervaded 1950s America, which is set during the Salem Witch Trials of 1690. Miller is also famous for having been one of Marilyn Monroe’s husbands! He died in 2005.
AMERICAN DREAMAMERICAN DREAM It is a play viewed by many as a
scathing attack on the American Dream of achieving wealth and success without regard for principle or morals
It is a play viewed by many as a scathing attack on the American Dream of achieving wealth and success without regard for principle or morals
AMERICAN DREAMAMERICAN DREAM
The American Dream is a belief that in the United States of America, hard work and determination can lead to a better life, usually through the earning of money. These were values held by many early European settlers, and have been passed on to the newer generations.
The American Dream is a belief that in the United States of America, hard work and determination can lead to a better life, usually through the earning of money. These were values held by many early European settlers, and have been passed on to the newer generations.
AMERICAN DREAMAMERICAN DREAM
Traditionally, Americans have sought to realize the American dream of success, fame and wealth through thrift and hard work. However, the industrialization of the 20th centuries began to erode the dream, replacing it with a philosophy of "get rich quick".
A variety of seductive strategies have evolved, and today the three leading ways to instant wealth are
large-prize television game shows, big-jackpot state lotteries compensation lawsuits.
Traditionally, Americans have sought to realize the American dream of success, fame and wealth through thrift and hard work. However, the industrialization of the 20th centuries began to erode the dream, replacing it with a philosophy of "get rich quick".
A variety of seductive strategies have evolved, and today the three leading ways to instant wealth are
large-prize television game shows, big-jackpot state lotteries compensation lawsuits.
The play centers on Willy Loman, an aging salesman who is beginning to lose his grip on reality. Willy places great emphasis on his supposed native charm and ability to make friends;
TRAGIC FLAW IN A TRAGIC HERO
TRAGIC FLAW IN A TRAGIC HERO
.Tragic Flaw: a flaw in character
that brings about the downfall of the hero of a tragedy;
excessive pride financial greed).Willy’s tragic flaw is in failing to question whether the dream is valid
.Tragic Flaw: a flaw in character
that brings about the downfall of the hero of a tragedy;
excessive pride financial greed).Willy’s tragic flaw is in failing to question whether the dream is valid
A few key traits of the Tragic Hero
A few key traits of the Tragic Hero
Usually evokes sympathy… Has a weakness, usually pride Something has gone awry in his/her life Usually faced with a very serious
decision he must make Must understand his mistakes… Likely doomed from the start…
Usually evokes sympathy… Has a weakness, usually pride Something has gone awry in his/her life Usually faced with a very serious
decision he must make Must understand his mistakes… Likely doomed from the start…
Initial ThemesInitial Themes Addresses family conflict in post World War
II America (1949) Takes a close look at the price paid for the
“American Dream” Charges America with creating a capitalist
materialism centered around a postwar economy
Addresses family conflict in post World War II America (1949)
Takes a close look at the price paid for the “American Dream”
Charges America with creating a capitalist materialism centered around a postwar economy
Themes in DeathThemes in Death
Willy Loman as a modern tragic heroAn individual’s search for meaning
and purpose in life (not Willy, but Biff)
failure in pursuit of successMan’s need to “leave a thumbprint
somewhere in the world.”An examination of the materialistic
values of society
Willy Loman as a modern tragic heroAn individual’s search for meaning
and purpose in life (not Willy, but Biff)
failure in pursuit of successMan’s need to “leave a thumbprint
somewhere in the world.”An examination of the materialistic
values of society
More themes in DeathMore 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 problem of communicationAbandonment
The love of a father for a son and a son (Biff) for a father
The conflict between father and son
The problem of communicationAbandonment
Add: ThemesAdd: Themes
Abandonment: The not-so-positive transient nature of mankind
Betrayal: Willy’s primary obsession (Biff)
Abandonment: The not-so-positive transient nature of mankind
Betrayal: Willy’s primary obsession (Biff)
SymbolsSymbols 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
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
The Common Man as HeroThe Common Man as HeroMiller’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.
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.
Miller’s Modern TragedyMiller’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.
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.
Act 1Act 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?
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?
Major CharactersMajor Characters
Willy Loman Biff Loman Linda Loman Happy Loman Charley Bernard Ben
Willy Loman Biff Loman Linda Loman Happy Loman Charley Bernard Ben
The Woman Howard Wagner Stanley Jenny Miss Forsythe and
Letta
The Woman Howard Wagner Stanley Jenny Miss Forsythe and
Letta
Willy LomanWilly Loman
Father, traveling salesmanBelieves 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
Father, traveling salesmanBelieves 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
Biff LomanBiff 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
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
Linda LomanLinda Loman
Loving, devoted wifeNaïve and realistic of Willy’s hopesEmotionally supportive of WillyWilly’s strength until his tragic
perishing
Loving, devoted wifeNaïve and realistic of Willy’s hopesEmotionally supportive of WillyWilly’s strength until his tragic
perishing
Happy LomanHappy 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
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
CharleyCharley
The Lomans’ next door neighborSuccessful businessmanOften gives Willy financial supportDescribed sadly as Willy’s only
friend although Willy is jealous of Charley’s success
The Lomans’ next door neighborSuccessful businessmanOften gives Willy financial supportDescribed sadly as Willy’s only
friend although Willy is jealous of Charley’s success
BernardBernard
Charley’s sonSuccessful lawyerOften mocked by Willy for being
studiousCompared to Loman sons by Willy;
they do not measure up to his success
Charley’s sonSuccessful lawyerOften mocked by Willy for being
studiousCompared to Loman sons by Willy;
they do not measure up to his success
BenBen
Willy’s deceased older brother Independently wealthyAppears to Willy in daydreamsWilly’s symbol of success that he
desperately wants for his sons
Willy’s deceased older brother Independently wealthyAppears to Willy in daydreamsWilly’s symbol of success that he
desperately wants for his sons
The WomanThe Woman
Willy’s mistressHer admiration for Willy is an ego
boostBiff catches Willy with her in a
hotel roomBiff loses faith in his father due to
infidelity
Willy’s mistressHer admiration for Willy is an ego
boostBiff catches Willy with her in a
hotel roomBiff loses faith in his father due to
infidelity
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