An Analysis Of Thomas Foster's Play, Death Of A Salesman
Thomas Foster's book, How to Read Literature like a Professor, is perfect for trying to analyze Arthur Miller’s Play, Death of a Salesman. This play has many layers that are difficult to catch on a first reading/watching. In essence, the play tells the story of Willy Loman, a salesman who struggles with the american dream and its ideals. The chapters in Foster's book on violence, symbolism, and setting all are helpful for understanding the play. The violence helps us understand the themes, the symbols convey various messages, and the setting influences the characters.
There is not much violence in Arthur Miller’s play, Death of a Salesman. However, the play only really needed the death scene of its titular salesman. Willy Loman’s death was …show more content…
Foster presents many ways to interpret geography in literature, some of which are theme and character development. One example he uses is Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver. Like this, Death of a Salesman’s setting influences Willy. Willy and his family live in New York, which could be considered the American city. This is also set during a time of growth after the Second World War. If the play had been set in much different area like the rural south, Willy Loman would not act the same. The buildings around his house also wall him in, even to the point that he cannot grow vegetables because there is not enough sunlight. This becomes a symbol for how Willys life hasn’t gone in his favor. The seeds represent his sons, who have given Willy no fruit, so to speak. Willy cannot get the seeds to grow like he can’t get his sons to live his dream of being in business. Overall, the geography in Death of a Salesman influences our protagonist and can be a symbol for his failed dreams.
Death of a Salesman is a short, yet satisfying play. Willy Loman’s tragic story can speak to us in such as way that we feel sympathy for him despite all his flaws. Without any of these added layers and depth. The story’s final death, symbolism for Willy’s affair, and geography all convey the tragedy of Willy Loman in a unique and captivating way that is not predictable or
There is not much violence in Arthur Miller’s play, Death of a Salesman. However, the play only really needed the death scene of its titular salesman. Willy Loman’s death was …show more content…
Foster presents many ways to interpret geography in literature, some of which are theme and character development. One example he uses is Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver. Like this, Death of a Salesman’s setting influences Willy. Willy and his family live in New York, which could be considered the American city. This is also set during a time of growth after the Second World War. If the play had been set in much different area like the rural south, Willy Loman would not act the same. The buildings around his house also wall him in, even to the point that he cannot grow vegetables because there is not enough sunlight. This becomes a symbol for how Willys life hasn’t gone in his favor. The seeds represent his sons, who have given Willy no fruit, so to speak. Willy cannot get the seeds to grow like he can’t get his sons to live his dream of being in business. Overall, the geography in Death of a Salesman influences our protagonist and can be a symbol for his failed dreams.
Death of a Salesman is a short, yet satisfying play. Willy Loman’s tragic story can speak to us in such as way that we feel sympathy for him despite all his flaws. Without any of these added layers and depth. The story’s final death, symbolism for Willy’s affair, and geography all convey the tragedy of Willy Loman in a unique and captivating way that is not predictable or