By Arthur Miller Character Analysis Willy Loman The common man Symbolizes the cruel paradox of human existence Seen as ritual head of the family Seeks to discover a design in the paradoxical movement of life ID: 214551
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Slide1
“Death of a Salesman”By: Arthur Miller
Character AnalysisSlide2
Willy Loman
The common manSymbolizes the cruel paradox of human existence.
Seen
as ritual head of the family.
Seeks
to discover a design in the paradoxical movement of life;
to
impose
upon it a sense of meaning greater that that conferred upon it
by
reality
.
His
life experiences seem to intermingle and disturb the logical flow
of reality
.
He
views his life as a totality. Conventions of time and place are not
relevant
for him.
Has
high ideals; possibly unattainable ones
Wants
to be loved by all; Wants to succeed by terms that do not suit
his
nature
; wants to leave his mark upon the world.
Feels
he has to succeed and the only way to show his success is to
acquire
money and material goods. He does not want to face the fact
that
he
is not earning enough.
When
he finally evaluates his performance he realizes that he has fallen
far
short of his goals at that point. Suicide becomes an act of valor for him.Slide3
Linda Loman
Tries to share in Willy’s ideals and suffers great torment as she observes Willy’s decline knowing that she is unable to help Willy or her family. Fails to understand what happens to Willy and fails to believe what has occurred between him and Biff, but still manages to retain a belief in the need to treat human beings properly.
Loyal and supportive wife and mother.
Her anger stems from her beliefs in the
Loman
family and memories of her happy time in the past.
She is a woman struggling to come to terms with her city, her husband, and he sons.
Linda, as the eternal wife and mother, the fixed point of affection both given and received, the woman who suffers and endures, is in many ways, the earth mother who embodies the play’s ultimate moral value, love.
In the beautiful, ironic complexity of her creation, she is also Willy’s and their sons’ destroyer. In her love Linda has accepted Willy’s greatness and his dream, but while in her admiration for his dreams, it is lethal. She encourages Willy’s dream yet she will not let him leave her for the New Continent, the only realm where the dream can be fulfilled. Slide4
Biff LomanLacks self- assurance because of the uncertainty about his father’s attitude towards him and his doubts about his own life and future.
Has not found his place in society, but also realizes that he does not fit into any of the openings that society has made. As a result of Willy’s lies he is undisciplined and disillusioned.
Sees the city as a concrete jungle, but refuses to conform to the city’s demands.Slide5
Happy Loman
Similar to Willy because he is lost due to the fact that he has never allowed himself to turn his face towards defeat.Regular guy, has a job, hopes for promotion, committed to conformNeeds to pretend to be more than he really is (Like father like son)Likes women but treats them disrespectfully.
Never acquires
Biff’s
ultimate self-knowledge and realization of the truth.
Remains the
Loman
that he always was, incapable of interpreting the message of Willy’s failure.Slide6
Who is the protagonist of this play?
Willy Loman
Biff
LomanSlide7
Correct!Great Job!Slide8
Try AgainSlide9
Who contributes to the destructionof more than one of the main characters?
Linda Loman
Happy
LomanSlide10
Which son shares the most characteristics with Willy?
Biff Loman
Happy
LomanSlide11
Listen to the following monologue.Who is speaking?
Willy Loman
Linda
LomanSlide12
For more information about “Death of a Salesman” and Arthur Miller:
Please visit: HereSlide13
Bilbliography
Miller, Arthur. Death of a Salesman. New York: Penguin Group, 1976. Print.Picture:
"Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller « Blue Blazes Book Blog."
Blue Blazes Book Blog
. 19 Jan. 2010. Web. 02 Nov. 2010. <http://blueblazeslib.wordpress.com/2010/01/19/death-of-a-salesman-by-arthur-miller
/>.
"Arthur Miller's Greatest Work Was Never Performed."
The Book Den
. 2005. Web. 03 Nov. 2010. <http://thebookden.blogspot.com/2008/09/arthur-millers-greatest-work-was-never.html>.