2011 Term Paper #1 Death of a Salesman: An American Tragedy A greek tragedy is a story that involves a character with a tragic flaw that eventually causes and leads to their downfall. A tragic hero‚ according to Aristotle‚ is one who comes from a high background‚ with a high status and noble‚ valuable characteristics. The hero will eventually fall due to their tragic flaw‚ and will come to a tragic realization of the error of their ways during this process. Death of A Salesman by Arthur Miller
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The play Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller argues that common men during the nineteen forties faced pressure from society. His argument is supported with detailed evidence that explains reasons for Willy’s actions. The play has many points that Miller tries to get across: dreams‚ hope‚ pride‚ reputation‚ respect‚ success‚ family‚ and the vision of America. The main points I feel that are shown throughout the play are: reputation‚ family‚ and the “American dream.” As Willy Loman‚ the protagonist
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Critical Response: Death of a Salesman The lives of the Loman’s from beginning to end seems troubling‚ the play is centered on trying to be successful or trying to be happy‚ and the sacrifice which must be made of one to achieve the other. The environment that these characters live in encourages them to pursue the American dream‚ which can be said to devalue happiness through the pursuit of material success. Death of A Salesman written by Arthur Miller has several themes that run through the play
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Justin Bardowski College Credit English December 19‚ 2001 Death of a Salesman; Movie vs. Book Death of a Salesman was both a great movie to watch and a great book to read. There were small differences‚ and since they are just about word for word from one another‚ the differences were usually just differences in the way one interpreted the book and envisioned the characters. The major difference I noticed was the way I pictured Linda and the way she was portrayed in the movie. Linda was
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Modern Tragedies deal with modern issues such as materialism‚ consumerism‚ procrastination and alienation. To what extent does Death of a Salesman show evidence of at least two of these issues‚ and how does Miller present them? Arthur Miller’s ‘Death of a Salesman’ is a modern tragedy; one that incorporates both the tragic genre presented in theatres for centuries as well as essences of the modern world we live in. Materialism is a modern phenomenon‚ something which possibly began due to the American
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not making what they should be • Not able to find jobs • Lower incomes • No benefits or healthcare • Not being able to retire • Not being able to afford homes • Kids are doing worse than you did American Dream in Death of a Salesman: Reoccurring American dream themes: • Hope your child does better than you • Corrupt big bosses • Retirement Payments Willy’s Dream: • Hope your child does better than you Willy’s dream is interrupted by: • Corrupt
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happiness through the hope that there was a life that was filled with happiness and joy. James Truslow Adams defined the term as‚ “ a better‚ richer‚ and happier life for all of our citizens of every rank.” (Majid Salem). In the play‚ The Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller‚ audiences and readers‚ are introduced to the protagonist‚ Willy Loman and his own denotation of the American
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The theme of the tragic hero is a continual theme in the literature of tragedy. When Sophocles’s "Oedipus the King" is compared to Arthur Miller’s "Death of a Salesman‚ the plots are very different‚ yet both use dramatic irony to reveal the basic points of tragedy: the actions of a tragic hero means the hero is destined to die. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The elements of a play are setting‚ irony‚ plot‚ characters‚ and theme‚ which will be
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Death of a Salesman is the fictional play that tells the story of Willy Loman and his family’s relationship‚ which is dysfunctional to say the least. Scholars‚ playwrights‚ and actors easily label it alike as one of the most iconic pieces of literature in the 20th century. Written in 1948 by Arthur Miller‚ it still holds relevance today‚ more than 50 years later with themes of work and family issues. This is true because it is a story that people can relate to and understand. But this was not a story
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unprecedented reputation can often result in a sickly twisted distortion of reality. In Sophocles’ Oedipus the King‚ a man well-known for his intellect and wisdom finds himself blind to the truth of h life and his parentage. Arthur Miller’s play‚ The Death of a Salesman‚ tells of a tragic character so wrapped up in his delusional world that reality and illusion fuse causing an internal explosion that leads to his undoing. Each play enacts the strugg of a man attempting to come to grips with his harsh reality
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