Death of a Salesman By Arthur Miller

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Background of Play Common man defeated by a society which drains him of his energy and then drops him. l Arthur Miller believed the common man is a fit subject for tragedy. l

Plot Summary Willy Loman, protagonist, a traveling salesman for Wagner Company for 34 years, thinks he’s vital to their New England territory; he is not l Willy arrives back home the same day he leaves on a sales trip because he can no longer function l

Plot Summary Tension exists between Willy and his son, Biff, who has just arrived for a visit after a long absence. l The play defines Willy’s collapse as a man and Biff’s final stages of becoming a man. l

Play’s Structure The story is told partly through the mind and memory of Willy Loman l Set in Brooklyn, New York l Action (24 hours in present) fluctuates between: 1942 & 1928 l

Play’s Structure l Shift in time is flowing and convincing: l Staging- Set Present: characters observe wall and door lines l Past: characters ignore walls, walk through them l l Play shows the pleasures, dreams, and hopes of the past and how they contribute to the agony of the present.

Play’s Structure l Lights Present: normal lighting l Past: lights dim, focus on Willy, apartments fade and dead leaves appear l l Music Present: Flute music suggests dreamy, faraway “other world” existence of Willy, agony of situation l Past: Music is joyous to show the happiness and dreams of the past l

Characters l Biff Oldest son l Former football star l Has been trying to find himself for 14 years l l Happy Younger son l Works in department store l Has own an apartment l

Characters l Willy Loman: 63 years old l Recently taken off salary l Put on straight commission l “Low man” on the totem pole l l Linda Loman Concerned and caring l Enabler l Unwilling to face truth l

Minor Characters l Charley l l Bernard l l Willy’s life-long friend Neighbor Lends money to Willy Charley’s son Biff’s childhood friend Successful lawyer Ben l l Willy’s older brother Highly successful Dead Appears only in Willy’s daydreams

Death of a Salesman 1949 Won Pulitzer Prize Theme ”society drains the common man and then drops him. ” l Miller, advocate for the underprivileged man, was accused of communism, investigated by House Un-American Activities Committee - cleared l Wrote The Crucible in 1953 about the HUAAC l l

Arthur Miller- 1915 -2004 l l l Born 1915, New York City, middle class family Mediocre high school student Worked a variety of jobs (shipping clerk, dock worker) Graduated from U of MI 1938 Wrote radio, stage plays

Arthur Miller

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