Death of a Salesman Analysis

Reader Response:

Throughout the play, Death of a Salesman, the reader faces various conflicts in deciphering behavior and intentions. As the years go on, the interpretations my change, as the reader's lenses shift with their culture. When studied through the lenses of today's culture, the reader may struggle to understand the narration style, while still being able to relate to the main thematic issues of the novel of dysfunctional family and the search for identity. With the opening scenes, the reader can quickly become lost, as the depiction of reality and dream-state is muddled.  Also, within the opening scene, the introduction of the dysfunction of the Loman family becomes evident, when Willy and Linda begin discussing one of their sons, Biff.  Willy Loman's opinions of his son are contradictory, as one moment he is expressing that "Biff is a lazy bum!", and the next he is saying what a "hard worker" he is and how, "There's one thing about Biff -- he's not lazy" (8). Willy's contradictions over his opinion of his son lead the reader to having conflicted first impressions of Biff. This is also where Willy's true character begins to revel itself as ambiguous. While so far, it can be assumed that Willy wants the best for his family, it is obvious that his own ambitions for his children tend to get in the way of their pursuit of their dreams and ambitions for themselves. After Willy's exchange with his wife, Linda, the reader is easily able to determine Linda's role in the story as the logic and compassion. In today's society, Linda could serve as an example for the feminist cause, as she is often oppressed by Willy, but maintains strong character and offers her family a sense of support. The feminist reader would argue that Linda being Willy's "foundation and [his] support", reveals the woman's strength and ability to withstand large amounts of pressure, therefore she should not be suppressed as she is by Willy (9). Linda's portrayal of women of the 1930s and its contrast to how the feminist reader would perceive her today, reveals the shift in lenses and interpretations. Also, as the reader observes and analyzes for a 21st century perspective, they are able to quickly tune into the utter dysfunction of the Loman family. First between Willy and Linda, as she assumes the husband's role of a rock. Secondly between Willy and his boys, as he displays favoritism, disappointment, and failure to understand and empathize with them. Then, between Biff and his brother, Happy, as they try to band together in a search for their identities, while battling for Willy's attention. Finally, the Loman family as a whole, fails to interact with respect and morality.  As mentioned, today's reader is also able to relate to Biff and Happy's search for identity. As Biff states, "I've always made a point of not wasting my life, and everytime I come back [home] I know that all I've done is to waste my life" (13). Biff proceeds to ask Happy if his success fulfills him, if he finds value in it. Happy replies that while he is able to have essentially anything that he wants, often he feels that even if he got all he wanted, he would only want more (13). Biff and Happy's search for identity and success is a time-old tale. A theme of success is created through them, showing that though one could have all the material success that one could want, unless deeper desires, like a loving, functional family, are quenched, it does not really mean much at all.

Death of a Salesman Discussion Q:

BIFF: "...There's nothing more inspiring or -- beautiful than the sight of a mare and a new colt...And now, I get here, and I don't know what to do with myself...I've always made a point of not wasting my life, and everytime I come back here I know that all I've done is to waste my life" (page 12).

....

HAPPY: "See, Biff, everybody around me is so false that I'm constantly lowering my ideals..." (Page 13)
"...maybe I just have an overdeveloped sense of competition or something...Becaus I don't want the girl, and still, I take it and -- I love it!" (Page 14)

Biff and Happy seem to each want fulfillment from life, however they also have very different ideas about how to achieve fulfillment, or so it seems. How do you think their father's differing treatment of them when they were growing up contributed to this? How did their relationship growing up contribute to this?

BACK on 2015 // FORWARD with 2016

This is the link to my personal blog. I was going to do a reflection post on there anyways, so why not kill to birds with one stone, am I right?

http://www.meganholmbergphoto.com/new-blog/ 

It is the most recent post that appears! Enjoy!

So I Probably Got a Little Carried Away....

To fight or not to fight- that is the question:

To be made vulnerable and then fret for the next attack,

Or hunt down and make a show of valor.

To worry, to instill fear – no more of this –

By fighting back to unleash pent up anger

And make your stance known.

Sure it may be easier to back down and remain reserved.

To fight, to worry no more – fight –

Maybe to get hurt. There it is.

If I fight, I may get hurt, or worse, killed.

Or perhaps, once I begin the fight, I could be made

To be in the wrong.

This I must think about…this will be the deciding factor.

To fight after all.

But what about all the preparation and fallout?

The painful bruising and bleeding,

The shock of the first blow, the aching broken bones,

The violent strikes – when I could remain innocent and to myself.

All the legalities to consider after the fight, the explanation of logic

And of defense.

But to live in fear?

This I will not do – so I shall fight and with passion

And unrelenting,

That they might not so easily take advantage and

Take away so easily again.

To teach a lesson to protect others.

This is why I will fight back.

Antigone Trial Reflection

What did you learn?

I learned about the Greek trial process mainly, at least more in depth about it. I also learned that directing a group of people to know what's going on and set ideas in action, is a lot harder than it sounds.


How was it different with a jury?

It helped the prosecution and defense in presenting their cases because they had a group of people to appeal to rather than it just being our class. It also obviously affected the sentencing of Antigone and Creon.


What can be done differently?

> having a set of options to choose from for the "point" of the trial
> more basic background info given to whole class for the role of the gods and the Kings

Antigone 2

"All men fall into son. But sinning, he is not for ever lost."
Pg.153

This seems like a Biblical principal. If so, how or why might Sophocles include it if the Greeks were pagans?

Antigone

"learn to seek your gain where gain is yours to get, not try to grasp it everywhere."
-Creon

What is the purpose of Creon saying this?
What might the audience expect to understand by this?