General
1. So we are quickly introduced to the main characters of the story, Willy, Biff, and Happy.They're just an average American Family looking to make ends meat. At this point Willy is returning from a Salesman trip but has come home empty handed and is exhausted. We are introduced to his sons Biff and Happy and although he critisizes them he still loves them and is very proud of them. Later that day when Biff and Happy are alone we get to hear the first instances of the American Dream when Happy and Biff are talking about the future. Also later that night Willy starts having flashbacks and talking to himself and it wakes the whole family and Linda soon tells the sons that Willy has tried to commit suicide before. They start talking about a new idea and how theyre life will turn around and they go to sleep thinking tomorrow will bring them new prosperity. The next Act begins with Willy waking up a couple hours later than his sons who are out and about. Willy goes to Howard looking to get a job in New York so he doesnt have to travel everyday but instead Howard fires him telling him that he needs to take a break. He then begins to hallucinate and heads off to meet his sons for dinner. At the restaurant Happy and Biff are talking and Biff explains his whole experience to Happy about how Oliver didnt even know who he was and how their idea was crushed. He couldnt bring himself to tell his dad and they leave with two girls leaving Willy all alone talking to himself. At this point Willy is losing his mind and goes to get seeds to plant in his yard. They go home and Biff talks to Willy about how a bad father he was and says he leave in the morning and never come home, but while crying and Willy sees this crying to him as a sign that he really does love him and in that instance he drives off into the night and we dies. The scene ends with them at Willy's grave looking down. The author captures the idea of the falsity of the American Dream in this novel by showing how this family who is filled with high hopes of the future is quickly struck down.
2. The theme of the play is the falsity of American Dream and how there are high hopes for families in America but not everyones want are met.
3. The authors tone is very serious because he is describing the false hopes and the downfall of an American family in this play. "Oh, Ben, how do we get back to all the great times? Used to be so full of light, and comradeship, the sleigh-riding in winter, and the ruddiness on his cheeks." This shows that the tone is serious because all the good times are in the past now.
4. Metaphor - "Hes only a little boat looking for a harbour"
Rethorical Question - "Willy: You see what I been talking about? The greatest things can happen!"
Repetition - Happy is consistently telling the line: "I lost weight, Pop, you notice?"
Simile - "He's not allowed to fall into his grave like an old dog."
Imagery - "Gee, look at the moon moving between the buildings."
Setting - "A melody is heard, played upon a flute. It is small and fine, telling of grass and trees and the horizon."
Symbolism - The flute is a symbolism for the life he could have with his and elder Loman making flutes for a living and doing well as a salesman.
Characterization - "He is a stolid man, in his sixties, with a moustache and an authoritative air."
Characterization
1. Indirect Characterization - "Bernard can get the best marks in school, y'understand, but when he gets out in the the budiness world, y'understand, you are going to be five times ahead of him. so bernard is book smart but not street smart." "I know it when i walk in. they seem to laugh at me..., Im fat. im very - foolish to look at..." (shows Willy is self conscious.
Direct Characterization - "He is a large man, slow of speech, laconic, immovable." "Bernard enters in knickers. He is younger than Biff, earnest and loyal, a worried boy."
Aurther uses both indirect and direct characterization to show a better characterization of the character because its kind of like the saying two heads are better than one.
2. I don't really think that it does because the story is pretty serious the whole time and taking away from that seriousness could really offset the play. Except for in a few instances describing Happy because he is so laid back and carefree.
3. The protagonist is obviously Willy and I think that he is dynamic throughout the story because he begins as a man with a dream to become rich as a salesman and nothing could stop him but as the stroy goies on he soon realizes that that dream is becoming less and less likely and starts to give up and lose his way and sense of self and his hopes.
4. After reading this book I have definitely felt like I have walked away meeting not just a person but a whole family. The American Dream is that just a dream and inorder to go far you have to work for it, it wont just happen and reading about this family failing has really got me to think about that dream and i have learned a lout about this fiction family and have really felt like I have met them because of they hardships they have endured.
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