Death of a Salesman By Arthur Miller

Literary Movement: Contemporary Literature 1950-Present

Historical Context 1953 Korean War ends 1957 Soviet Union ’ s launch of Sputnik I begins the “ space race ” with the U.S Martin Luther ’ s “ I have a dream ” speech 1963 JFK ’ s assassination 1965 U.S. escalates involvement in Vietnam War 1969 First humans walk on the moon 1974 Watergate scandal forces President Nixon ’ s resignation 1987 U.S. stock market crashes Operation Desert Storm 1990s Internet rises as major form of communication

Worldview The second half of the twentieth century has seen the rise of postmodernism: “ A philosophical stance which claims that it is impossible to make grand statements—meta-narratives—about the structures of society or about historic causation, because everything we perceive, express, and interpret is influenced by our gender, class, and culture; knowledge is partial and situated, and no one interpretation is superior to another. ” from Influences: Modernism, Technology Postmodernism embraces fragmentation and relativism.

Common Elements Diversity! Diversity in genre (non-fiction, fiction, poetry), style, form, subject matter, and authors ’ cultural and religious backgrounds Allowance for multiple meanings and multiple worlds, even within a work of literature Flourishing of creative non-fiction – New Journalist writers began to incorporate personal opinion and experience into nonfiction writing. Flourishing of poetry – Move from the impersonal, academic tone of modernist poetry toward personal themes – Beat Poets and Confessional Poets

Tragedy then & now Classic Tragedy (Sophocles, Shakespeare, etc.) – High to Low – Tragic Flaw – Fall (Hero must be aware) – Catharsis (Audience feels fear and pity) Modern Tragedy – Ordinary man – Personal failings – Realism – Psychological exploration – Societal and familial context What stories of “falls” have you seen?

Arthur Miller

Opening Act:

The question is not whether Willy Loman will meet his demise.. It’s rather will Willy Loman realize that he has love and purpose before he falls apart.