Kim, Kathy Ku, Sharon Sok , Sandra Tai, Gina Mr. Jepsen - AP Lit Period 5 November 1, 2010

1. Death of a Salesman By: Arthur Miller Kim, Kathy Ku, Sharon Sok, Sandra Tai, Gina Mr. Jepsen - AP Lit Period 5 November 1, 2010

2. Act I – Linda6th Edition – Page 1801-1803 • This scene portrays how Linda is the foundation for the Loman family. • While Biff and Happy become “evasively” offensive about their father, Linda remains steadfast to Willy, yet motherly to her sons.

3. Act I – Linda6th Edition – Page 1801-1803 • i.e. Biff angrily asks “What the hell is the matter with him?.... He’s got no character.” Linda answers “Don’t go near him!.... a lot of people think he’s lost his balance but you don’t have to be very smart to know what his trouble is. The man is exhausted.”

4. Act II - Charley6th Edition – Page 1822-1823 • This scene portrays Willy and Charley’s relationship. • Charley is perceived as the rational center of the drama.

5. Act II - Charley6th Edition – Page 1822-1823 • He finances much of Willy’s monetary needs. • While Willy gets emotional (i.e. “I don’t want your goddam job!.... That snotnose. Imagine that? I named him.”), Charley remains reasonable.

6. Element: Setting • It occurs over a span of one day in the late 1940s primarily in New York. • The Lomans reside in tenement-like houses: • Symbol of the Lomans’ desire to break free and escape debt.

7. Element: Setting (cont’d) • Willy’s wants freedom • Evident through his opinion of “the way they boxed [him] in here. Bricks and windows, windows and bricks.” • The 1940s reflect the American Dream because World War II had just ended.

8. Element: Setting (cont’d) • America encouraged everyone to have equal economic opportunities. • Example: Happy and Biff reveal the American dream: they want to create a new business to relieve their dependency on Willy.

9. Element: Setting (cont’d) • Setting also involves music • Miller uses the music to transition between scenes • “New music is heard” – a high, rollicking tune • “Music is heard, gay and bright” to transition to Act II as Willy is drinking coffee and the kitchen table.

10. Element: Figurative Language • Purpose: develop scheme and evoke impressions • Example: Willy comes home from his Florida business trip and says he is “tired to the death.” • Our Interpretation: Establishes his tiresome state of mind and foreshadows his death

11. Element: Figurative Language • Willy says that he’ll “knock them dead next week” at his business trip. • After Howard fires Willy, Willy tells himself to “pull….together!” 

12. Our Interpretations • “Knock them dead…”:He didn’t mean he’ll kill his clients. Rather, he means he hopes for success. • “Pull…together”: Willy doesn’t literally mean to pull himself together, but he means he will look toward the next time as a chance to do better.

13. Biographical Criticism • Purpose: The author’s biography impacts what he writes into his literary works. • Miller was born in New York City, which is also where Death of a Salesman takes place. • Miller’s father was a rich businessman which is Charley’s job.

14. Biographical Criticism (cont’d) • Miller’s family was originally rich until the Wall Street Stock Crash in 1929. • Miller was able to experience lives of the upper class elite and lower class. • This influenced the social statuses of the Lomans and Charley’s family.

15. Biographical Criticism (cont’d) • Miller’s father-in-law and Willy are insurance salesmen. • Miller and his wife raised two children – Willy and Linda raises Biff and Happy. • In high school, Miller was a football player. • Young Biff is a football player.

16. Feminist Criticism • Purpose: to reveal women’s roles in the society at the time of publication • Linda’s role in her marriage – separate spheres • Willy tells Linda to “shut up” and stop interrupting him repeatedly. • Willy earns money while Linda stays home – housewife.

17. Fin Thanks for listening!