The Dramatic Genres of Realism and Naturalism http

The Dramatic Genres of Realism and Naturalism http: //www. newberry. edu/theatre/THE%20110/REALISM%20 AND %20 NATURALISM. htm

The Genres of Realism and Naturalism Ignore classical conventions of drama n Use prose dialogue instead of poetry n Have their roots in existentialism, positivism, socialism, and Darwinism n Include detailed stage directions n Offer a scientific, psychological examination of life n

The Genres of Realism and Naturalism Playwright’s role is that of the detached observer n Emphasizes importance of environment on man’s actions n The single individual is not always presented as the central character n

The Genres of Realism and Naturalism Reflect commonplace incidents of common man in contemporary society n Present characters as finding life to be unhappy and dull n Tend to emphasize the ugly n

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 n One of the best known literary expressions of the disillusionment of Americans in 30’s and 40’s n Reflects discovery that the “American Dream” was illusion, possibly destructive

Plot n What conflicts exist? – – Person vs. person Person vs. environment Person vs. self Person vs. God n Person vs. environment is the most significant conflict in the play. The demands of American society ultimately destroy Willie. n How many plots are there in the play?

Setting Both hostile (in the present) and friendly (in past memories) n The setting spans 3 locations n – The cities where Willie sells – Willy’s house in the present – Willy’s house in the past

Characterization Major Characters n Willie Loman – – Low man Protagonist? Traveling salesman Devoted husband 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 n Linda – The supportive wife – Keeps Willie locked into his job – Passive aggressive? – Finally speaks the truth to the boys n Biff – – n “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 n Uncle Ben – Signifies an unattainable dream – Represents missed chances – The only connection Willie has with his father – Willie’s confidant n Charlie – The concerned neighbor – Successful business man n Bernard – Charlie’s son – A successful attorney

Title n “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 n 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 n Biff’s thefts – Football, suit, and pen represent worlds in which Biff longs to achieve success

Symbolism n Names and Characters – Loman = Low man – “Biff” parallels “Ben” in sound and length n Biff achieves what Ben represented – “Happy” parallels “Willie” in sound and length n n n 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 n Portrays common man n Uses colloquial dialogue n Has a suburban setting n Emphasizes the importance of environment on an individual n Society is the antagonist

Theme n Discuss possible theme statements