Death of a Salesman

Precis:
In his play "Death of a Salesman" (1949), Arthur Miller describes the typical life of an American Dreamer; Willy Loman. Miller illustrates the struggles and the anxieties Willy faces living in a city where he believes he will prosper one day. Miller uses flashbacks, metaphors, allegories and imagery to depict how Willy back in the days believed he would "make it big some day" and how now that he is old, he is realizing that everything he ever wished to accomplish throughout his life did not go the way he planned. All Willy Loman ever wanted was to be successful not only for himself, but for his family as well. His failure to accomplish his dreams brings him to find refuge in the "success" he sees in his sons' futures. Miller's purpose is to emphasize and illustrate the struggles many Americans face daily. Similarly to Willy Loman, many Americans get caught up in their dreams and aspirations; they loose tract of reality focusing on fantasies. Willy Loman symbolizes the "Common American", an American who strives for success and when it is not met, it leads to dangerous extremes; one of which is suicidal. Throughout the play Miller maintains an intense and reminiscent tone.   


Vocabulary:

• Trepidation: (n.) state of fear or anxiety; perturbation.
• Simonizing: (v.) to shine or polish to a high sheen; especially with wax. 
• Pompous: (adj.) having or exhibiting self-importance: arrogant.
• Crummy: (adj.) to be of little value; inferior.
• Carburetor: (n.) a device in an internal combustion engine for mixing air with a fine spray of liquid fuel.
• Cellar: (n.) under ground room(s) used for storage
• Laconic: (adj.) using few words; expressing much in few words; concise.  
• Ignoramus: (n.pl.) an extremely ignorant person 
• Imbue: (v.) To inspire or influence thoroughly; pervade. 
• Fob: (n.) to cheat; deceive. 
• Valises: (n.) small piece of luggage; suitcase. 
• Saccharine: (adj.) excessively sweet; sugary. 

Tone: Intense, tragic, reminiscent 

Rhetorical Strategies: 

• Imagery: "...the trees are so thick, and the sun is warm. I opened the windshield and just let the warm air bathe over me." (Pg.14)
• Metaphor: "He's only a little boat looking for harbor." (Pg. ) 
• Simile: " He's not allowed to fall into his grave like an old dog." (Pg.56)
• Flashback: "Remember how they used to follow him around high school? When he smiled at one of them their faces lit up. When he walked down the street..." (Pg.16)
• Periodic Sentence: "But now his old friends, the old buyers that loved him so and always found some order to hand to him in a pinch- they're all dead, retired" (Pg. 57)
• Allegory: Stockings. " I won't have you mending stocking in this house! Now throw them out!" "You - you gave her Mama's stockings!"( 121)
-The stockings serve as a torment to Willy. They symbolize the affair he had with another women.

Discussion Questions:

• In what ways does Willy's affair ruin both his and his son's (Biff) future? 
• Why does Arthur Miller compose his play rich on allegories? 
• How does Willy Loman serve as a reflection of a "Common American" in our society today? 

Quote:

"I am known, Ben, and he'll see it with his eyes once and for all. He'll see what I am, Ben! He's in for a shock, that boy!" (Pg. 126)