Theme Based Question

In the battle between Capitalism and the Ordinary Man, death seems to be the only solution. Comment. 


Introduction - one sentence about the play, playwright and when it was first performed. The play criticizes the American Dream. One sentence stating what you are going to explore in your essay = thesis statement.

Setting - New York, USA, 1949 - explore the implications of the time, and the city/country = capitalism in the USA; the American Dream and how it has failed many people. Post Depression, Post World War II.

Characterisation - Willy, Biff - who are not successful as per the A.D.; from the start we get the feeling that Willy is going insane; Happy - who is successful but not happy; Ben, Charley - who are both successful - Ben seems more lucky; Charley is the only one who has worked. Howard is not directly representative of the American Dream as he inherited the business from his father. However, he is running it successfully and unemotionally and therefore almost symbolizes capitalism.

Plot - the death of Willy is foreshadowed continuously, starting with the first part of the Act One; Linda reveals to Biff and Happy how Willy seems to be trying to kill himself - 1. the car crash was not an accident, 2. the tube she has found in the cellar; finally, he decides to plant a garden as though he must leave a legacy for his family; the plot does not proceed in chronological order from the title of the play to the planting of the garden the audience is continuously being prepared for Willy's suicide.

Atmosphere - strained from the beginning [refer to Aditya's earlier post for details]
Dramatic Techniques - flashbacks; foreshadowing; lighting being focused in one area; no blackouts - merging of scenes; music that accompanies certain characters

Symbols - loans and mortgages; fountain pen; stockings being mended; wire recorder; Ben as a symbolic character; Willy's sleeping with the woman in order to get clients to sell his products to - is it symbolic of Capitalism lending itself to some form of prostitution of ones values and ideals in order to make money?

Conclusion - your personal [literary] response TO THE QUESTION

Theme based answers

the status of Willy's wealth --- (capitalism)

When the act starts, it shows the faliure of the ordinary man (american dream)

Willy has to pay so much loans that by the time he pays them the things are meant to be thrown off.

evidence-he had just paid for his rerigerator and it broke again.

-- divy dishant

- Willy is foreshadowing.

- Willy is mentally preparing Linda for his death. Consciously and unconsciously.

- Linda doesn't cry at the end because she was prepared for it.

- Miller already prepares us by the name of the play that there is going to be a death.

PLOT

Mam i tried doing the plot, but couldnt realy understand it, so therefore i havent done it. i have done everything else though.

Theme-based answer

Capitalism vs Ordinary Man - Death is the only solution

1949, New York- Post Second World War 1945

-Business is bad

- Howard Mortgage

Characterization- Willy, Happy, Biff, Ben, Charley the self-made men. Not Howard because he works on his dads business. Biff is not interested in what the society is telling even after being a salesman. He works on a farm with his shirt off. Outdoor kind of person.From the beginning, Willy going insane.

Atmosphere- This fluctuates in between the 2 acts. From the beginning, Willy going insane.

• strained
• tense
• conflictual
• hope
• disappointment
• sorrow

Atmosphere reflects the emotional and mental state of the ordinary man.

Plot- Chronological order presents ideas according to the time in which they occurred.

Act2 Section 3

Dear ma'am,

i am not understanding section 3 of Act 2 . Please Help

Can someone please put down the section changes? Where exactly they change. Not only the page number?

Capitalism vs Ordinary Man

Capitalism; Money- Invest- Grow... A critique

; The American dream is likely to fail the ordinary man.

Ordinary Man; Financial problems

; Viewed by family as extraordinary

"If business don't pick up, I don't know what I'm gonna do" evidence

of the financial problems faced by Willy Loman.

; In Howard's office- Willy lowers his expectations.

Willy manifesting the American Dream "Someday I'll have my own business, and I’ll never have to leave home anymore.

unemotional business world howard wagner

Howard wagner, the boss of willy loman represents the unemotional business world in the following ways :-

He only cares about the profits he get for the company.
Willy gets fired because he does not make any progress in the business which completely shows that howard is practical guy because he does not care about willy's conditions but only cares about the business and profits.
Howard is kind enough to tell willy that he can come back after a long rest even though he does not mean it.
Howard is also a very obsessed person as he talks about his wire recorder.
Howard also lowers his status by saying "sorry to keep you waiting".

Aayushman's Draft

Howard Wagner is a businessman who is the boss of Willy Loman. In a lot of ways Howard represents the unemotional business world. He is more interested in the benefits of his business than the benefits of his workers. In the play, instead of giving a job in New York to Willy, he fires him because he thinks that he is becoming a hindrance to his business as he becoming mentally unstable. Although he tries to be kind to Willy by saying that he could come back after taking a long rest, it might also mean that he is just saying that to avoid firing Willy right away, which would cause a reduction in his workers' morale as Willy had been working for the firm for over 30 years. Howard is also a very obsessed person as he is more interested in his wire-recording than what Willy has got to say.

Text-based Answer on Howard.

Arthur Miller was born in New York in 1915. His one of the plays is Death of a salesman which was written and performed in 1949. This play was written after the Great Depression, which was the economic recession in the USA. This let down the American Dream in people.

This character, Howard Wagner, is Willy Loman's 36 year-old boss. He symbolizes the whole unemotional business world by emphasizing on his high status. Howard has got this new wire-recorder which is obsessively fascinating him. Willy tries to speak something but is constantly interrupted by Howard speaking about the features of the recorder. After listening to the points, Willy finally comes to a conclusion of earning 65 dollars a week. He keeps on reducing the amount until he reaches 40 dollars but still Howard wants him to take a good long rest and then come back so that something could be worked out. Miller emphasizes more on Howard's high status. Howard, in the beginning says "Sorry to keep you waiting". This statement by Howard Wagner proves that he is trying to show his high prestige in the business world. He shows a clear representation of the business world. One more thing that Miller has shown is that Howard addresses Willy as a kid even though he is much younger than him in age but he shows off his high prestige and is happy with his space. This space is not the mental space but actually physical space.

Kanika's draft

Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller was written and performed in 1949 after the great Depression. In 1928, an economic boom occurred which completely destroyed people's life. Many people were fired and some suicided due to less money. The great American Dream of people broke at that time.Basically we are talking about Howard and Willy.
 Howard Wagner, Willy Loman's boss,thirty-six years old, living happily with his family, fired Willy. He believes in less word and more action.He also believes that business is business so it shouldn't be mixed with emotions.He is a high status person and earns really well.He lives with his wife and his children.
He fired Willy because he wasn't capablale of working and also not able to earn enough so he had to approach to such decision.Willy was continuously begging/bargaining for his job and salary.But because of Howard's attitude he couldn't succeed to get his job back.The atmosphere here is sad. This is said by looking at Willy's poor situation.He is trying really hard to get his job.
If thought practically, then Howard's decision was right because as a businessman no one would employ someone who doesn't earn well or make profit.
 And if thought emotionally, Howard was rude to Willy because he was working for him from so long and was earning well previously but no more, and still he fired him. Howard was not at all bothered about Willy's future. He is not left with anything now and he is stressed as well because he is jobless. Howard suggests Willy to depend on his sons but Willy doesn't follow that  because he doesn't wanna throw himself on his sons.
       Willy finally fails to get his job and is now in a bad state. He has to pay all the loans, his car is not working, his son, Biff is trying hard to  get a job.... all these thoughts are now coming to his mind and is worrying him.

The Elements of Drama

An intro to Howard Wagner.

36 years old business man. (11th April, 2011)

Spends money- wire recording machine -> driving him crazy, obsessed- like a new toy.

Unemotional business world. He symbolizes the business world.

Obsessively fascinated with the toy and continuously talking about it.

pg. 61- "You didn't crack up again..."

"Geez, you had me worried there for a minute. What's..." (Howard Wagner)

(Conspiracy thinkers in our class)

Willy wants to be in New York and work with him. Howard is preoccupied with his wire recorder.

pg. 62- Howard giving logical reasons to Willy.

Howard not getting affected by the emotional statements.

"Pulling your own weight." Do your part of the job really well.

Howard's KEY LINE- "Cause you gotta admit, business is business."

Howard is barely interested to whatever Willy is saying. (Stage Direction)

Continued... (12th April, 2011)

"I can't rake blood from a stone" - Something that cannot be extracted.

-Howard objectifies Willy. Howard physically trying to move away saying that he's busy right now. Howard again trying to escape.

-Howard is letting him down gently. Willy got upset as the wire recorder got switched on.

-Howard knows that Willy is in no control of his own. Behaved oddly and stubbornly.

-He doesn't want Willy to get upset again and gets conscious of the impression on other people.

Text-Based Question on DOS

Act II, Section 2 (Page 59 to 66):
Explore how Miller brings out the character of Howard Wagner as a representative of the unemotional business world.

act 2 section 2

Willy wants howard to transfer him to new york and howard is talking about his wire recorder while ignoring him.

9B1 Life With Willy: Act II, Section 2 - (pages 59 - 66)

9B1 Life With Willy: Act II, Section 2 - (pages 59 - 66): "What happens in this section?"

chirag-

*maybe howard wanted willy to wait

*howard is repeatedly changing the topic

*howards ignoring willy

*howards showing off

*he reffering to willuy as a "kid". i think hes trying to show whos the boss

Willy's long speech on Page 63: he talks about what inspired him to become a salesman - a man called Dave Singleman. He appears to be bemoaning the fact that in "those" days it wasn't just about sales, there was "respect, comradeship and gratitude in it". Now, it appears to be only about the money.
Do you see any evidence that Willy was "well-liked"?
He probably WANTS to think and believe that.
Possibly he has a self-esteem problem. He has a lot of negative energy.

Through the pages 59 to 64 he reduces how much he wants Howard to give him as a salary every week. He starts with 65 dollars and goes down to 40.

On page 64 we see Willy growing more and more desperate. We see that Howard is really not interested in any references to the past.
In 1928 Willy may have made a lot of sales - it was when the American economy was booming; it was before the Great Depression.
Howard realizes that Willy is going crazy and exits.
At the end of page 64 Willy begins to hallucinate - he thinks he is talking to Frank, Howard's father, and accidentally switches on the recording machine.

act2 section 2

In act 2 section 2 of Death of a salesman Willy has gone to Howard and he is asking to be posted to the city, but howard is preoccupied with his wired recorder. Hence willy gets fired as he is too old

Act II, Section 2 - (pages 59 - 66)

What happens in this section?

Conflict in Biff's Life

Biff is very young when he discovers that his father has a mistress. He is already depressed as he has flunked his math exam and this adds to his problems.

Empathy question # 2:

You are Biff. You have just discovered that your father has a mistress. Write your thoughts and feelings.

[on paper, please, not on the blog]

Due date: 5 April 2011

[bonus point if you submit it on 4 April]

Act Two - Section 2

Page 59 to 66

What happens in this section?
We meet Howard for the first time.
He doesn't seem like a nice person. He doesn't much attention to Willy and is pre-occupied by his wire-recording machine.
For the first part it seems like they are having two separate conversations.

Act Two - Section 1

Aditya: the mood is bright and happy
Noor: Biff has changed from Linda and Willy's point of view
Kanika D: From Linda's point of view, Biff has a hopeful attitude
Ayush: strong feeling of energy and confidence
Aryaman: Both Linda and Willy are in a happy mood

Willy has slept well; he can now begin to imagine a happy future for the family.
He has decided to talk to Howard about a non-travelling job.


Willy long speech (p 56-57): What is he saying about consumer society and the culture of owning things on loan?
At a deeper level it shows his frustration with the fact that he doesn't seem to own his life. He seems to be waiting to get ownership of his and appears to feel that by the time he does, it will be over.

Linda's conversation with Biff on the phone (p. 58-59): What is revealed during this conversation?
It is revealed to Linda that Biff took off the pipe.
We come to know that Biff is waiting to meet Mr Oliver.
It is revealed to Biff that Willy is going to ask Howard for a job in New York.

Act-2 (beggining)

Willy slept like a dead after one month because he sees a better future , he also is going to talk about giving him a non- travelling job .

Howard and Willy

What is their relationship?

On page 64 Willy's long speech: reveals that when he dies he wants a funeral which will be attended by hundreds of people; he thinks he has that sort of following. [Thank you, Ayush!]

Willy and Howard

What is Howard's general demeanour towards Willy through their conversation?

What does Willy say to Howard in order to make him consider the possibility of getting a placement in New York?

Why does Willy want to buy seeds?

What is Linda's reaction to wanting to create a garden?

What is the deeper symbolism of this exchange?

Act Two

What is the mood at the beginning of Act Two?

What is Linda trying to say about Willy in this speech?

Then make Charley your father, Biff. You can't do that, can you? I don't say he's a great man. Willy Loman never made a lot of money. His name was never in the paper. He's not the finest character that ever lived. But he's a human being, and a terrible thing is happening to him. So attention must be paid. He's not to be allowed to fall into his grave like an old dog. Attention, attention must be finally paid to such a person. You called him crazy ---

Biff wants to get into the business world now

As linda feels that biff is hiding something from her, she keeps on asking him and he just tells her that he'll stay with them and get a job. As there is a long talk on this and biff shares his feeling about willy and then he also tells them that he's going to meet Oliver to get a job. Happy also gives biff an idea of working together and Willy is very happy as Biff's confidence is back and he's getting serious.

pg 44

Willy wasnt a great or famous man. He wasnt perfect either but he was a man who dedicated his like for his sons who never look back on him. His situation made him change.

WILLY TRYING TO SUICIDE

Willy also tries to kill himself by crashing the car. Linda once says to Willy "you didn't smash the car did you?" which tells us that this is not the first time he is doing this, and the second evidence is when the insurance inspector came and said that all these accidents in the last year weren't actually accidents. he tried to smash the car purposely and the evidence is a woman, who saw his car and said that he wasn't driving fast at all, and that he didn't skid. she says that he came to a little bridge , and deliberately smashed the car into the railing, and it was only the shallowness of the water which saved him, or else he would have killed himself.











thank you mam for teaching me something new!

Biff's Relation With Linda

Biff addresses Linda as a pal. They are very close to each other and so forth he is protective towards his mother. Biff agrees being a remiss after Linda says that Willy's life is in his hands.

Willy is always excited about Biff getting home and the closer he seems to come, the more shaky he gets and when he gets there, he is always the worst. Willy is always unfair to Linda as he shouts all the time which bothers Biff because he does not like him shouting at Linda.

Happy helps Biff decide to go and lend some money from Bill Oliver, Biff's ex-boss. Linda tells Biff and Happy that their father, Willy is trying to commit suicide. Once Willy purposely crashed his car, and once he put the gas pipe near the heater, Linda found out and she tried to stop him.

Biff gets into an argument with Willy because Willy would always be unfair with his wife, Linda. When Happy tells Willy that Biff is going for a meeting with Bill Oliver, Willy is super proud of Biff

Revelations in Section 8 (Pages 41-54)

What is revealed in this section?

Plans and Revelations

What has Biff decided to do?

How do the others react to Biff's plans?
Happy:
Linda:
Willy:

What does Linda reveal (page 47)?

What does Biff discover behind the water heater and what does he do? What does this reveal about him?

Biff and Linda

What sort of a relationship do Biff and Linda have [Pages 41 to 43]?
They are very close to each other and are like friends - pg. 42/43 Biff addresses her as "pal".
Biff is protective towards Linda - pg. 45 - he doesn't tell her about the woman.

What do you get about Biff's feelings towards Willy from his exchange with Linda [Pages 42 to 46]?
Biff doesn't have much respect for Willy. There are underlying feelings of resentment and anger - Pg. 43 Biff says, "Stop making excuses... an ounce of respect for you.
It appears that he still has some deep regard or love for Willy - Pg 46, his reaction to Linda's statement that Willy is dying - he is horrified.

Linda's Stockings

The image of Linda darning her stockings just as Willy comes out of his flashback with his mistress - this makes the audience feel several emotions. Willy's emotion is primarily guilt - however, he converts that into anger.

What do stockings symbolize in the play? There could be many answers to this... speculate :)!

The contradictions in Happy's happiness

What is the key line of Happy's character?

What does it tell you about him?

What do you think he looks like? How do you know this?

What is the WHY of his character - the MOTIVATION?

These are just guiding questions to build up Happy's character.

You may write this in autobiographical form, i.e. as an empathic answer.

Interact!!!

No, this is not the club!

Those of you who are part of the 9B1 Google Group have been added as Authors. Have fun... but be careful about what you write and your vocabulary - as the blog can be viewed by anyone.

I look forward to reading some great stuff.

[Ah, Ayush, I heard that question - Does it have to be about DOS, you asked. No, of course not... ]

What about Biff, then?

Biff, "built like Adonis", the most popular young boy in high school, the captain... a commanding presence, a born leader...

What, Willy wonders, happened to him?

The promise of the young Biff who could order his friends to clean up the cellar [and they listened to him!] seems to have come to nothing. Oh yes, he had this slightly bad habit of "borrowing" things, but really, even his coach did not seem to mind.

What did he say he wanted to do, that is REALLY do? He wanted to be out in the fields with his shirt off, working on a farm. That was definitely not the way to get rich. Was this the only reason that Willy was disappointed in him?

Linda says that Biff is trying to "find himself". Therefore, he must have lost himself somewhere. When we meet the young Biff, he does not seem lost at all. Where and when and how did he lose himself?

Let's put our thoughts down and see how accurately we can predict the revelations about Biff that are to follow.

In Willy's Shoes

What makes an empathic answer worthwhile... that is, the reader, a.k.a. the hapless Cathy who has to plough through pages and pages of your delightful  scribbles wondering, often, where you were during the lesson :).


First of all, take off your shoes [hold your nose in case they stink, and definitely don't do this in my room - this is why it is given to you as HOMEwork].


As observed by Noor, "How can Linda take Willy's shoes off, ewwwww!" Well, as long as they are off, sieze the opportunity and put them on!


Metaphorically speaking, that's what an empathic answer is all about - getting into a character's shoes. This is, as you know, an expression which means you can thereafter, hopefully, experience life as s/he experiences it. Of course, under any circumstances, this is a difficult task. However, it should not be daunting. In order to be able to think and feel like a character, you could do the following:

1. Make a careful note of the VOCABULARY the character uses - would Willy use the term "piss off", asked Chirag - well, read through the selected portion and keep a look-out if he does or not. Otherwise you are slipping from Willy to Chirag.

2. Refer to EVENTS that are mentioned in the extract.

3. Refer to OTHER CHARACTERS in the extract - this should reflect the attitude of the character that you are writing as towards the other characters. For example, Willy's mixture of irritation, love, guilt and gratitude towards Linda is very evident. His pride in Biff as well as the deep disappointment comes through quite clearly.

4. Use a TONE that is appropriate to the character. Willy, as is evident, is losing his mind - so the narrative you write does not need to follow a logical or chronological sequence.


Have a look at the rubric below: (C) IGCSE

P.S. Leave a comment if you have a query.
The googlegroup should be ready as soon as everyone sends me their email ids.

BTW: This assignment was due YESTERDAY!!!!