1986. Some works of literature use the element of time in a distinct way. The chronological sequence of events may be altered, or time may be suspended or accelerated. Choose a novel, an epic, or a play of recognized literary merit and show how the author's manipulation of time contributes to the effectiveness of the work as a whole. Do not merely summarize the plot.
Senility comes with old age. Memories and the present are either lost or muddled together. In Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman, the main character, Willy Loman, slips in and out of the present along with the events of the drama itself. Miller's manipulation of time better communicates Willy's mental situation to the audience and reveals important plot information while perpetuating his emphasis on abandonment.
The actual events of the play follow Willy's relapses into his past. Without this, the audience would only view Willy talking to himself, just as the other characters view him. Taking the trip with Willy allows viewers to feel empathy, to experience the same level of disorientation as Willy. Willy's confusion and misunderstanding become the audience's confusion and misunderstanding. Willy is transformed from a nettlesome old man to a sympathetic old-timer abandoned by his sanity.
Miller chooses to show supposedly "happy" times from Willy's past, back when his son Biff was the high school football star and he felt "well liked" by his clientele. Those times are not happy, though. Money troubles are a constant plague in the Loman's household, Willy has an affair while he's away for work, Biff's football success clouds his academics, and Willy is eventually forgotten by his clients. The dichotomy of these memories show the audience how Willy's
I was confused a lot by your essay,especially the non-existent end. Going from what I see, you bring up a meaning in your thesis, but don't really say much about it in the rest of your essay. I'm assuming you meant to include that in the part that's not there?
ReplyDeleteYou're intro worked well though, and apart from the missing piece I think it's a pretty good essay. I'm glad to see that you actually included quotes, something that people seem to have a hard time remembering to do (myself included).
Your introduction is very well done. It flows, is clear and brings up a point I had not completely comprehended when watching Death of a Salesman for the first time. However, as Matthew states, you lose me a little with the rest of your paper. I am assuming you ran into some technical difficulties perhpas, so I am going to let you work the rest through on your own. However, I think you have a very good start!
ReplyDeleteI liked this. Where did the rest go? The introduction was good, nice lead in, great thesis. Your point on the reader being taken along for the ride on Willy's sanity rollercoaster is great. Wonderful. Really.
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