I Don't Get It

[pinkgeek]

Re: Death of a Salesman - I can't help but think of Eugene O'Neil and Long Day's Journey into Night (written close to the same time period I believe). The Tyrones are another family suffering under the disillusionment and imperfections of life.

In my experience the value in these tragic plays is that they do mimic real life. If anyone could "just stop" or "just don't" etc. etc. there would be less poverty, disease, abuse etc, but that isn't how humans are wired. Perfect logic is interrupted by dreams, lust, greed, fear, shame and thus often imperfect choices are all that can be seen and certainly what is chosen.

If the only stories we told in theatre and books were stories of Happily.Ever.After where all the characters made all the logical choices it would not be art reflecting life - it would be art reflecting an illusions of perfection. (I'm sure the right wing would just love this concept!)

Your mileage may vary.

Originally Posted by Julien

This play, I think, is about expectations and failed expectations a father has for his sons, wife, especially himself; expectations the sons have for the father and his failure to live up to those expectations. In fact in the eyes of the father, his pride and joy, Biff does not live up to those expectations he has rightly or wrongly placed upon him. We should ask is the bar raised too high, is there some sort of perfection that is sought but sorely missing out? No one is perfect, Willy and his family are archetypes for a family under the disillusionment and imperfection of humanity. I hope I don't get too convoluted here, but I think this is important to note the time period this play was written in and the ending of World War II. As well as a study of the tensions between fathers and sons and what they believe the other to be. This play is a drama a tragedy that is a study of this bond between the father and son and what happens when one is seen as a failure in the others eyes. Either by chance or by intent. I think it is a commentary many films and plays of this era comments on that being the rebellious youth against authority, even if that authority is corrupt in some way. Think James Dean's character in East of Eden. I have more to say but will leave it for now.