The Dramatic Genres of
Realism and Naturalism
http://www.newberry.edu/theatre/theatre/THE%20110/REALISM%20AND
%20NATURALISM.htm
The Genres of Realism and
Naturalism
Ignore classical conventions of
drama
 Use prose dialogue instead of poetry
 Have their roots in existentialism,
positivism, socialism, and Darwinism
 Include detailed stage directions
 Offer a scientific, psychological
examination of life

The Genres of Realism and
Naturalism
Playwright’s role is that of the
detached observer
 Emphasizes importance of
environment on man’s actions
 The single individual is not always
presented as the central character

The Genres of Realism and
Naturalism
Reflect commonplace incidents of
common man in contemporary
society
 Present characters as finding life to
be unhappy and dull
 Tend to emphasize the ugly

Death of a
Salesman
(P. 1445)
by
Arthur Miller
(1915-2005)
http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/amiller.htm
First performed in 1949
Death of a Salesman
 One
of the best known literary
expressions of the
disillusionment of Americans in
30’s and 40’s
 Reflects discovery that the
“American Dream” was illusion,
possibly destructive
Plot

What conflicts exist?
–
–
–
–
Person vs. person
Person vs. environment
Person vs. self
Person vs. God

Person vs. environment is the most significant
conflict in the play. The demands of American
society ultimately destroy Willie.

How many plots are there in the play?
Setting
Both hostile (in the present) and
friendly (in past memories)
 The setting spans 3 locations

– The cities where Willie sells
– Willy’s house in the present
– Willy’s house in the past
Characterization
Major Characters

Willie Loman
–
–
–
–
Low man
Protagonist?
Traveling salesman
Devoted husband
and father (like
Oedipus)
– Insecure and proud
(like Othello)
– Copes by having an
affair
– Longs for guidance
– Longs for the past
– Has a tragic flaw
Major Characters

Linda
– The supportive
wife
– Keeps Willie
locked into his
job
– Passive
aggressive?
– Finally speaks the
truth to the boys

Biff
–
–
–
–

“Like a boy”
Wanderer
Thief
Free in the end
Happy
– Willie’s clone
– Won’t leave his job
– Believes in the
American dream
– Likes women
Minor Characters

Uncle Ben
– Signifies an
unattainable dream
– Represents missed
chances
– The only
connection Willie
has with his father
– Willie’s confidant

Charlie
– The concerned
neighbor
– Successful
business man

Bernard
– Charlie’s son
– A successful
attorney
Title

“The very title Death of a Salesman
both declares the significance of a
salesman’s death and finds value in its
ordinary anonymity” (Cardullo 1).
Cardullo, Bert. “Death of a Salesman and Death of a Salesman: The Swollen Legacy of Arthur
Miller.” Columbia Journal of American Studies. Accessed 1/21/07 from
http://www.cjasmonthly.com/june_miller.html
Symbolism

Willie’s house
– Action moves in and out of house just as it
moves in and out of Willy’s troubled mind
– Porch, yard and ceiling represent Willie’s
missed destiny: to work with his hands
– House, the goal of the American dream: a trap
for Willie

Biff’s thefts
– Football, suit, and pen represent worlds in
which Biff longs to achieve success
Symbolism

Names and Characters
– Loman = Low man
– “Biff” parallels “Ben” in sound and length

Biff achieves what Ben represented
– “Happy” parallels “Willie” in sound and length



Happy follows Willie’s tragic example
He represents Americans’ flawed idea of happiness
Other symbols
– The red Chevvy
– Linda’s stockings
– Others?
Realistic and Naturalistic
aspects of this play
 Portrays
common man
 Uses colloquial dialogue
 Has a suburban setting
 Emphasizes the importance of
environment on an individual
 Society is the antagonist
Theme

Discuss possible theme
statements