Reading vs. Watching

I think this is definitely one of those plays that it would be better to watch it than to simply read the script. This is mainly because of the flashbacks that Willy experiences. It was hard to discern at times what was in the present day and what was a memory. The most confusing memory in my opinion was the first one of The Woman. It speaks of her and says she is laughing as Willy talks to his wife Linda. When I first read it I was quite confused. Why didn't Linda have a problem with this other woman being there. It seemed odd until I really understood what was going on. I think watching a stage production would make the plot much more understandable.

#5 pg 1119: Death of a Salesman

I think the main theme in Death of a Salesman is the idea that our past shapes us into the individual we will be for the rest of our lives. This is shown through the character of Biff. He may not like his father, but because of the environment he was raised in, he will always have little characteristics that he got from his father. This is shown theatrically through Willy's interaction with the ghosts of his memories. He still thinks about his past often. The main thing he thinks about seems to be what his life would be like if he had done things differently.

#3 Pg. 1119: Death of a Salesman

The protagonist of the story is Willy. The plot revolves around him and everyone that the play involves seem to act because of Willy and his emotions and actions. More than one character could be considered the antagonist. Willy himself fits this role because many of his issues are in his own head or of his own doing (the affair). However, Biff also fits this role because much of the pain and regret Willy feels because of his affair is driven by the fact that Biff found out and lost all respect for him. Biff has grown up to be very similar to his father. He exaggerates and manipulates reality just as Willy did. The best example of this was his interaction with Oliver. However, in a way, Biff is a foil character to Willy because he realizes these tendencies and decides to change things. He moves away and decides to start fresh.

Laura

We talked a lot about Laura's disability in class, but I'm still confused. It says that one leg is longer than the other but that doesn't seem like a huge deal to me. She still walks for hours upon hours each day. However, her condition is bad enough that it forces her to wear a brace. So I don't know quite what to make of her. Is this injury barely noticeable, and it that case why do they all make such a big deal about it? And if it is a serious injury, why does she put herself in pain each day by walking around on it? It would be easier to simply tell her mom that she dropped out of school.

#2 Pg. 1119

I've only read the first five scenes, but I would definitely call this play a tragedy. The members of this family all seem to be living pretty tragic lives. They are unhappy and don't get along very well for the most part. They have lived with abandonment and financial difficulties. Amanda is so scarred by her failed marriage that she makes her children miserable as well. Tom and Laura are at an age where they should be living their own lives but they are stuck. Laura is held back by her shyness and disability. Tom is held back by his responsibilities to his family and job.

#3 Pg. 1119

I actually think that the main antagonist in the play is not even a character. It is the father who abandoned this family years before. The Amanda pushes her children in certain ways because of her experiences with their father. She pushes Tom to not become his father and she pushes Laura to marry someone who is not like her father. So Amanda is also an antagonist. Tom fits the role of protagonist the best. He is the one working for the family and doing his mothers bidding by finding a gentleman caller for Laura. I feel as though Amanda and Laura are foil characters. Amanda is demanding and loud while Laura is delicate and quite. This foil brings out both of their characteristics and makes their confrontations more dramatic.