Literary Analysis: Death of a Salesman

General

1.       This novel is about the Loman family but mostly about Willy Loman. Willy is the father but seems to think that his appearance and popularity is most important. He created an image for his family and himself of being very wealthy when in reality they are poor. Despite being poor Willy still has hope that they will make it big and become wealthy. As time goes on this hope begins to dwindle and he starts to go crazy. By the end he dies without accomplishing anything.

2.       The theme of the novel is the fragility of the American Dream. Willy hopes to become wealthy through appearances and popularity. He is however not able to acquire the American Dream.

3.       The author’s tone overall is related to Arthur Miller’s view of Willy. This tone seems to that of mockery.

4.       Literary Devices:

-Diction: uses powerful words to intensify the story and make it more dramatic

-Syntax: uses periodic sentences to hold on to the readers’ attention “but now his old friends...they're all dead, retired”

-Rhetorical question: questions the character’s situation they’re in and also helps to portray the author’s tone

-Flashback: Willy often flashes back to better times in his life when he can’t accept his current unsuccessful situation.

-Anaphora: Willy often repeats “He is not just liked, but well-liked” which shows his materialistic views

-Antithesis: Charley is Willy’s neighbor and unlike Willy is successful, humble, and generous.

-Apostrophe: Willy often creates these illusions in his mind and attempts to talk to them.

-Cliché: the infamous American Dream that Willy tries to obtain.

-Dialect: the author makes the language used seem like it is from a big city like New York through use of slang.

-Symbols: diamonds as wealth and Willy’s failure as a salesman.

Characterization

1.       Direct Characterization – This is used to establish the setting and the characters characteristics

Arthur describes Happy and Biff as strong men who are meant for labor.

Indirect Characterization – This is used to establish the relationships between the characters.

Biff is sarcastic with Willy while Happy is positive.

2.       When the author changes dialogue between character he has to change his diction and syntax.

3.       Willy is a static and flat character as he doesn’t change his views and beliefs do not change throughout the novel. Despite going crazy he still doesn’t really change.

4.       I felt like I came away knowing a person because Willy seemed very real to me. Many people believe what he does. He doesn’t admit he was wrong even though he knows he is. This is very common in society.