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Essay / Free Essays on Death of a Salesman: Four Characters
Death of a Salesman: Four CharactersThe play "Death of a Salesman", the original idea of Arthur Miller, has been transformed and adapted to the he movie screen in 1986. The play itself is set in the house of Willy Loman and tells the melancholy story of a salesman who is in serious financial difficulties, and the only remedy for the situation is to commit suicide. In the staging of this tale, the lighting, settings and specific musical designs really give the story a strong undercurrent of depression. And logically, film and stage productions differ greatly in the mood they create. Additionally, film production can do many things that simply cannot be done on stage, referring of course to the setting. To generalize, the play gives us a good insight into the great American dream that failed miserably. However, the combination of stage and film productions accurately depicts the shortcomings of capitalist society. Death of a Salesman specifically focuses on four characters, the first being the main character Willy Loman, his wife Linda, and their two sons Hap and Biff Loman. . As mentioned, the focal point of this piece is Willy Loman, a salesman in his sixties. Throughout the story, we are told of the difficult life, emotions and triumphs of Willy the salesman. Early in the play we learn that he has recently been demoted to commissionaire, which later in the play (on par with his luck) results in Willy's dismissal. As the plot unfolds, we discover that Willy had a recently deceased wealthy brother named Ben, whom Willy viewed with great admiration as he had become extremely wealthy and reached the age of 21. However, Willy also becomes very depressed when Ben leaves, the point being that he once again realizes the misery of his own life and continues to pay for all his possessions. Willy then understands that by the time his material goods are paid for... they will no longer be of any use. For example, the Loman house has become virtually useless since the two sons moved out. It's only after Willy's death that the final mortgage payment is made...for a house with no one inside. The only example of this statement is given by Linda during the last paragraph of the piece.,