Death of a Salesman Arthur Miller

Objectives: respond to the different atmospheres of scenes and how the words of the dialogue help to create these be aware of the writer at work – how effects are achieved through literary means.

Capitalism An economic system in which investment in and ownership of wealth is made and maintained chiefly by private individuals or corporations. The US is a capitalistic system with ruthless, aggressive business tactics and with an insistence on money and social status as indicators of worth.

The Wall Street Crash The Roaring Twenties, the decade that led up to the Crash, was a time of wealth and excess. When the Wall Street stock market crashed in October 1929, the world economy was plunged into the Great Depression. By the winter of 1932, America was in the depths of the greatest depression in its history. The number of unemployed people reached upwards of 13 million. Many people lived in primitive conditions close to famine.

The American Dream ‘This ideal – the Great American Dream – expressed the longings of people who wanted to break new ground in a developing country, to amass money and enjoy a comfortable lifestyle, to work for themselves and not be at an employer’s beck and call.’ (Heinemann Introduction) The play is an attack on the capitalist system associated with the dream.

SETTING

The Loman House Look at the description of the Loman house on p.1 until ‘…house at the side.’ Consider the following phrases: ‘only the blue light of the sky falls upon the house. ‘small, fragile-seeming home’ ‘An air of the dream clings to the place’ Which two rooms are visible? What does Miller suggest about this environment?

The Setting of the Play Consider the following phrases: ‘towering, angular shapes’ ‘surrounding it on all sides’ ‘angry glow of orange’ ‘solid vault’ What does Miller suggest about this environment? What tone is established? How does this relate to the title of the play? Write two paragraphs explaining how Miller presents the house and its surroundings in the stage directions. Use PEEL

The Stage Describe what the stage looks like (you may use your diagram to help you), include all the details. How does Miller use the stage to convey past and present in the play? Why does Miller include such detailed stage directions?

CHARACTERISATION

Willy Loman—p.2 What impression are we given of Willy through the following phrases: ‘past sixty years of age.’ ‘dressed quietly’ ‘exhaustion is apparent’ ‘lets his burden down’

Willy Loman What impression does Miller give us of Willy through Linda’s observations: ‘his mercurial [changeable] nature.’ ‘his temper’ ‘his massive dreams’ ‘little cruelties’ ‘turbulent longings within him’ Why does Miller use Linda to present this side of Willy? What is the effect? What do we learn about the character of Linda?

Read p.2—8 up until Linda says ‘The cheese is on the middle shelf!’ Produce a mindmap each for Linda and Willy. Note down what you learn about their character through what they say, what they do and the way that they speak (stage directions may also give information. Write down a list of quotations (with page references) about the character of their son, Biff.

Homework: The Loman Family p What family problems does Miller hint at in the opening pages? 2.What is the main source of the tension in the family? 3.How would you describe the relationship between: Linda & Willy Willy and Biff Biff & Happy