Major Works Data Sheet
Biographical information about the author
Authur Miller was born in the year 1915 on October 17th in New York City. Started his career as a playwright while studying bat Michigan University (Breitkopf, 2008). Some of his work took a number of prizes and his first large success was acquired in the year 1947 for his literary work in 1947 ‘’All My Sons’’ (Breitkopf, 2008). After two years he authored ‘’ Death of a Salesman’’ which led to the winning of Pulitzer awards and this transformed him into a national celebrity. The author has acquired a number of awards and to most salesman death is described as the hugest tragedy in America and thus Miller emerged as the individual who understood the American deep essence (Breitkopf, 2008).
Historical Information
After the embarking of the World War II which ended in the year 1945 the United States fell on the times of economic growth which was mainly driven by industrial development (Breitkopf, 2008). However this economic progress resulted in increases inflation and thus the poor were primarily affected some of those that received the least pays were immigrants. Thus the play represent the struggles that are experienced by a salesman family.
Characteristics of the Genre
The play is a tragedy genre where the author wished to demonstrate that the sorrows of a common being are as useful as those of the wealthy. ‘‘Death of a salesman’’ is the famous work by miller which generally handles the painful conflicts that occurs within a single family but also tackles increased issues that regards the national American values.
Plot summary:
The play starts in one day’s evening and the salesman by the name Loman Willy who is in his sixties gets home from a business trip that had failed he gives an explanation to his wife that while he drive he was too distracted and he had therefore headed home full of defeat but this would only bring him trouble with the boss. He lives with his two sons who are in their thirties he visualizes and hallucinates of all his happier moment. He recalls his encounter with an entrepreneur brother and begins to envy him for what he had achieved. He later gets fired and acquires a job from his neighbor out of sympathy. The death scene occurs on the salesman grave but not many individuals attended. Biff believes that his father lived on the wrong dream while happy is ready to pursue the dream (Breitkopf, 2008).
Major Works Data Sheet Page 2
Describe the author s style:
The author utilizes imagery and figurative language to narrative about the past and thus the audience is thus capable of viewing the thoughts as demonstrated on the stage.
An example that demonstrates the style:
For example the audiences learns that Biff as Willy’s son has lived with torment for learning that his father had another marital affair.
In addition Willy gets to recall the adventure with an entrepreneur brother and all the happy instances and begins to envy his achievements.
Memorable Quote
Quote
‘’I spent about six or seven years after completing high school attempting to build myself up. This involved sales business, shipping clerk from a different kind to another…and still trying to get the how of building the long-term future’’(Miller, 1994).
Significance
The quote is very significant since Biff struggles with competition that is relevant to the American way of living buy acknowledges the truth that he is required to utilize a path that is rather not pleasant so that success can be acquired.
Quote
‘’I even believed that I had been a sales man there’’ (Miller, 1994).
Significance
Biff recognizes the excessive fantasy that he held in regard to having a better living that led to his loss of reality. After pressuring his dad to face the reality this resulted in destruction.
Major Works Data Sheet Page 3
|
Character’s name |
Role in the story |
significance |
adjectives |
|
Willy Loman |
The role is to act as the representation of the low individuals in the society and the sorrows they experience. |
Willy is utilized in the story to represent the low earning individuals affected by inflation despite the economic progress |
Fragile |
|
Biff Loman |
In his thirties biff has done some kind of low jobs in the attempt to be successful. After gaining success in high school he failed in math and thus his credit was low to graduate |
He is significant in the story based on the dreams that he has and high expectations which requires him to achieve in any means. |
Delusional |
|
Linda Loman |
She acts a loving, caring and a loyal wife. |
In most occasions she suffers via the delusions of her husband which seems to take her future success hopes but appears less fragile and highly realistic as compared to Willy. |
beautiful |
|
Setting: Time/Place/Cultural/Social Influences |
Significance of Opening Scene |
|
The setting of the play is in the 20th century after the second WW in the American land. It is mainly influenced by the suffering of individuals in low social economic status while the wealthy ones prosper. |
The opening scene creates the background of the novel’s theme through showing the economic as well as the socio-cultural influences. |
|
Symbols/Irony and Significance |
Significance of the ending/closing scene |
|
Seeds and diamonds are the main symbols in the play. Seeds are utilized as the representation of willy’s chance of attempting to prove his labor worthiness. On the other hand diamonds are the representation of tangible richness as the validation of the family’s hard labor and the incapability to pass in form of wealth to Willy’s children as he wished. |
The closing scenes is crucial as it sets the differences that exists amid the rich and the humble in the American land. |
|
Possible Themes/Ideas in this Text |
|
|
Some of the primary themes represented by the play include the American dreams, betrayal, socio-economic differences and abandonment. |
|
Reference
Breitkopf, S. (2008). Willy Loman in Miller's "Death of a Salesman": An analysis of character portrayal. München: GRIN Verlag GmbH.
Miller, A. (1994). Death of a salesman. Oxford: Heinemann.
