h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: Has anybody read Death Of a Salesman? - A2493696
Author: Doubting Salmon - U194408

Please help with this; I have yet to alter it.

It's probably a bit late now, but good luck in your exam. I have read it, and as far as I remember, Miller's use of setting and lighting contributed a lot to the characterisation of Willy. For example, he presents the two parallel worlds of Willy's mind onstage at once by using the forestage to represent Willy's mind. In the memory scenes the characters ignore the wall-lines of the house, obviously to show that this is a representation of Willy's mind.

These memories gradually unfold the mysteries in his past, e.g. what is the conflict between Willy and Biff? Who is the woman? Sometimes he juxtaposes reality and memory onstage at the same time, this becomes more frequent as the play goes on and shows Willy's loss of control. For examples of this think of the scene in Howard's office (and Charley's) and the restaurant scene.

Ben represents the success that Willy strives for but can never achieve. He follows Ben to his death, although he missed the opportunity to follow him in real life.

A lot about Willy is revealed in the Requiem, where the other characters discuss who is to blame for his death. This makes the audience consider whether Willy was purely a victim of society, a Aristotelean tragic hero with a fatal flaw, a more modern tragic hero though still essentially good, or a flawed and deluded man who brought about his own demise.

With Willy Loman you have to reconcile his good and his bad qualities, so you could see him a representation of us all as no-one is perfect. This too helps the audience to empathise.

Willy is of another time, he does not understand modern gadgets like Howard's tape recorder and he still believes in the old values exemplified by the old salesman who died. He has a deluded idea of his own importance, but that in its own way is tragic because his main aim is for Biff to see that he is important and respected. Despite this, the only mourners at his funeral are his family.

What I feel reveals Miller's purpose most is the final stage direction, when the apartments blocks rise into focus. Although the music is peaceful, indicating that Willy is at last happy, the apartments represent the triumph of the modern world over Willy Loman.

I really hope this isn't too late. If you still have time, try to get hold of the York notes edition for Death of a Salesman, I didn't have them, but they tend to be good.

Oh, and one of the moments when the audience empathises with Willy most is when Happy disowns him in the restaurant.