NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Biff Loman

Death of a Salesman is a 1949 play by Arthur Miller and is considered a classic of American theater. Viewed by many as a caustic attack on the American Dream of achieving wealth and success without regard for principle, Death of a Salesman made both Arthur Miller and the character Willy Loman household names. Some of the other titles Miller considered for the play were The Inside of His Head and A Period of Grace. It was greeted with enthusiastic reviews, received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1949, the 1949 Tony Award for Best Play, as well as the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Play. Death of a Salesman was the first play to win these three major awards, helping to establish Miller as an internationally-known playwright. Image File history File links Cover to the Penguin Group book of the play, Death of a Salesman. ... Image File history File links Cover to the Penguin Group book of the play, Death of a Salesman. ... Penguin Group is the second largest trade book publisher in the world. ... Year 1949 (MCMXLIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1949 calendar). ... Romeo and Juliet by Ford Madox Brown A play, written by a playwright, or dramatist, is a form of literature, almost always consisting of dialog between characters, and intended for performance rather than reading. ... Arthur Asher Miller (October 17, 1915 â€“ February 10, 2005) was an American playwright, essayist and author. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... The Pulitzer Prize for Drama was first awarded in 1918. ... See also: 1948 in literature, other events of 1949, 1950 in literature, list of years in literature. ... A Tony Award for Best Play has been awarded since 1947. ... The New York Drama Critics Circle is comprised of nineteen drama critics from daily newspapers, magazines, and wire services based in the New York City metropolitan area. ... Template:Unsourced A playwright, also known as a dramatist, is someone who writes dramatic literature or drama. ...

Plot synopsis

The play centers on Willy, a 60-year-old salesman who is beginning to lose his grip on reality. Willy places great emphasis on his supposed native charm and ability to make friends; stating that once he was known throughout New England, driving long hours but making unparalleled sales, his sons Biff and Happy were the pride and joy of the neighborhood, and his wife Linda went smiling throughout the day. Unfortunately, time has passed, and now his life seems to be slipping out of control. Sales, or the activity of selling, forms an integral part of commercial activity. ... This article is about the region in the United States of America. ...

Willy has worked hard his entire life and ought to be retiring by now, living a life of luxury and closing deals with contractors on the phone—especially since increasing episodes of depersonalization and flashback are impairing his ability to drive. Instead, all of Willy's aspirations seem to have failed: he is fired from his job—which barely paid enough anyway—by a man young enough to be his son and whom, in fact, Willy claims to have named. Willy is now forced to rely on loans from his next-door-neighbor and only real friend (and the word is used loosely at that), Charley, to make ends meet. None of Willy's old friends or previous customers remember him. Biff, his 34-year-old son, has been unable to 'find himself' as a result of his inability to settle down (caused by Willy drumming into him the need to 'make it big within two weeks'), and Happy, the younger son, lies shamelessly to make it look like he is the perfect Loman son. In contrast, Charley (who, Willy tells his boys conspiratorially, is not well-liked), is now a successful businessman, and his son, Bernard, a former bespectacled bookworm, is now a brilliant lawyer. We are told how Willy had at least one affair while out on business trips: one in particular was discovered by Biff, and broke his faith in his father. Finally, Willy is haunted by memories of his now-dead older brother, Ben, who at an early age left for Africa; "And when [he] walked out, [he] was rich!" Ben has constantly overshadowed Willy, and he is in many ways the man that Willy wanted to be. Ben's approach is heralded by idyllic music, showing Willy's idolization of him, and in flashbacks we see Willy asking for Ben's advice on parenting. It has been suggested that Depersonalization disorder be merged into this article or section. ... A flashback is a psychological phenomenon in which someone remembers a past experience. ... English barrister 16th century painting of a civil law notary, by Flemish painter Quentin Massys. ... A world map showing the continent of Africa. ...

The play's structure resembles a stream of consciousness account: Willy drifts between his living room, downstage, to the apron and flashbacks of an idyllicized past, and also to fantasized conversations with Ben. The use of these different 'states' allows Miller to contrast Willy's dreams and the reality of his life in extraordinary detail, and also allows him to contrast the characters themselves, showing them in both sympathetic and villainous light, gradually unfolding the story, and refusing to allow the audience a permanent judgement about anyone. When we are in the present the characters abide by the rules of the set, entering only through the stage door to the left, however when we visit Willy's 'past' these rules are removed, with characters openly moving through walls. Whereas the term 'flashback' as a form of cinematography for these scenes is often heard, Miller himself rather speaks of 'mobile concurrences'. In fact, flashbacks would show an objective image of the past. Miller's mobile concurrences, however, rather show highly subjective memories. Furthermore, Willy destroys the boundaries between past and present, and the two start to exist in parallel. In psychology and philosophy stream of consciousness, introduced by William James, is the set of constantly changing inner thoughts and sensations which an individual has while conscious, used as a synonym for stream of thought. ... See fantasy for an account of the literary genre involving the development of common or popular fantasies. ... One popular concept of the villain, meant to mimic the purposely distinctive visage of villains from silent films of the early 20th century. ...

The depths of the problem are gradually revealed. Willy's emphasis on being well-liked stems from a belief that it will bring him to perfect success—not a harmful dream in itself, except that he clings to this idea as if it is a life-preserver, refusing to give it up. His boys are not only well-liked but quite handsome, and as far as Willy is concerned, that's all anyone needs. He pitches this idea to his sons so effectively that they believe opportunity will fall into their laps. (In this way, Biff and Happy can be considered forerunners to the culture of entitlement.) Of course, real life is not so generous, and neither are able to hold much in the way of respectable employment. Willy witnesses his and his sons' failures and clings ever more tightly to his master plan, now placing his hopes vicariously on them: he may not succeed, but they might. His tragic flaw is in failing to question whether the dream is valid. Happy never does either; he has embraced his father's attitude, and at the end of the first act, he convinces Biff to seek financial backing in a get-rich-quick scheme. But when Biff tries to do so, he realizes his father's mistakes, and finally decides not to let Willy get away with it. They attack each other at the play's climax: Biff confronting Willy's neurosis head-on, while Willy accuses Biff of throwing his life away simply to hurt Willy's feelings. Despite a raggedly emotional battle of words, neither is able to make much headway, but before Biff gives up, he breaks down in tears: "Will you take that phony dream and burn it before something happens?" Willy is touched that Biff still cares for him after all, but fails to understand the deeper meaning of his words, and resolves to do everything possible to leave him with the right opportunities to strike it rich. The point of view that one deserves good things with little or no effort. ... Tragic flaw, derived from the Greek word hamartia, which is also translated in religious works (e. ... In modern psychology, the term neurosis, also known as psychoneurosis or neurotic disorder, is a general term that refers to any mental imbalance that causes distress, but (unlike a psychosis or personality disorder) does not prevent rational thought or an individuals ability to function in daily life. ...

As the rest of the family retires, Ben reappears over Willy's shoulder. Willy proclaims that in taking his own life, the attendance at his funeral would make a show to his doubting son of how popular he was in life, and that, if handled to look accidental, the payout from his life insurance policy will allow Biff to start his own business. This final action can be viewed as his attempt to leave a tangible legacy for his family. Willy acknowledges that, "Nothing grows here anymore" and his vain attempts to plant seeds during the darkness express his desperate desire to leave something behind. The neighborhood is drawn out of bed by the roar and smash of Willy's car, despite Ben's warnings that the insurance policy won't be honored in the event of suicide. Thus Willy's grand gesture - and indeed his earlier assertion that one is often "worth more dead than alive" - leaves his family (and especially his wife, Linda) in even worse a position than before. This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Life insurance (life assurance in British English) is a contract between the policy owner and the insurer, where the insurer agrees to pay a sum of money upon the occurrence of the insureds death. ...

Requiem

The Requiem takes place at Willy's funeral, which is attended by Charley, Bernard, Linda, Biff, and Happy. Charley makes a very moving speech as Biff accuses Willy of not knowing what he really wanted in life; Charley explains that, as a salesman, all Willy ever got by on were his dreams, and they cannot blame him for having them. Happy insists, "Willy Loman did not die in vain", and says that he will 'fight' for Willy's, and his own corrupted version of the American Dream. At the graveyard, Biff says, "He had the wrong dreams. All, all, wrong." Happy tries to defend Willy, as he cannot understand Biff's point of view. Charley is the one who is perhaps best able to defend Willy's dream, saying that, being a salesman, all he really had was a dream. Despite this, the dream was never realized, especially in death: there are no throngs of mourners to pay their respects; indeed, nobody shows up except the five closest to Willy. In the last lines of the play, Linda, close to tears, asks her dead husband why he saw fit to take his own life, and leaves the graveyard, sobbing, with her sons crying harshly.

"Personal Attractiveness"

Willy compares Biff and Happy to the mythic Greek figures Adonis and Hercules because he believes that his sons are pinnacles of “personal attractiveness” and power through “well liked”-ness; to him, they seem the very incarnation of the American Dream.

Characters

Film and television versions

1951 (MCMLI) was a common year starting on Monday; see its calendar. ... Fredric March photograph by Carl Van Vechten, 1939 Fredric March (August 31, 1897 â€“ April 14, 1975) was a two-time Academy Award-winning American actor. ... Mildred Dunnock (born January 25, 1901; died July 5, 1991) was an American theater, film and television actress. ... Actor Kevin McCarthy in the remake of Invasion of the Body Snatchers Kevin McCarthy (February 15, 1914 in Seattle, Washington) is an American actor. ... Cameron Mitchell (November 4, 1918 â€“ July 6, 1994) was a well-loved American film and television actor with close ties to one of Canadas most successful families, and considered, by Lee Strasberg, to be one of the founding members of The Actors Studio in New York City. ... Stanley Roberts (born February 7, 1970 in Hopkins, South Carolina), is a former American professional basketball player who was selected by the Orlando Magic in the 1st round (23rd overall) of the 1991 NBA Draft. ... LÃ¡szlÃ³ Benedek (March 5. ... Golden Globe Award for Best Director - Motion Picture has been awarded annually since 1944 by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. ... Academy Award The Academy Awards, popularly known as the Oscars, are the most prominent and most watched film awards ceremony in the world. ... The Academy Award for Best Actor is one of the awards given to male actors working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; nominations are made by Academy members who are actors and actresses. ... The Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor is one of the awards given to people working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; nominations are made by Academy members who are actors and actresses. ... The Academy Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role is one of the awards given to people working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; nominations are made by Academy members who are actors and actresses. ... The Academy Award for Best Cinematography is awarded each year to a cinematographer for his work in one particular motion picture. ... From Rule Sixteen of the Special Rules for The Music Awards Original Score: An original score is a substantial body of music in the form of dramatic underscoring written specifically for the film by the submitting composer. ... 1961 (MCMLXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (the link is to a full 1961 calendar). ... 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (the link is to a full 1966 calendar). ... Lee J. Cobb Lee J. Cobb (December 8, 1911 â€“ February 11, 1976) was an American actor. ... Gene Wilder (born Jerome Silberman on June 11, 1933) is an American actor and comedian who has starred in more than thirty movies. ... Mildred Dunnock (born January 25, 1901; died July 5, 1991) was an American theater, film and television actress. ... James Farentino (born February 24, 1938 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American actor. ... George Segal George Segal (born February 13, 1934) is a well-known Jewish American film and stage actor who was born in Great Neck, Long Island, New York. ... 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1968 calendar). ... Heinz RÃ¼hmann The title of this article contains the character Ã¼. Where it is unavailable or not desired, the name may be represented as Heinz Ruehmann. ... 1985 (MCMLXXXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... This does not cite its references or sources. ... Kate Daphne Reid (4 November 1930 â€“ 27 March 1993) was a Canadian actress. ... John Gavin Malkovich (born December 9, 1953) is an Academy Award-nominated American actor, producer and director. ... Stephen Lang (b. ... Charles Durning Charles Durning (born February 28, 1923 in Highland Falls, New York) is an American actor of stage and screen, born to an impoverished Irish American Catholic family, which he left as soon as possible to ease the financial pressure on his mother. ... Volker Schlondorff Volker SchlÃ¶ndorff (born in Wiesbaden, Germany on March 31, 1939) is a Berlin-based German filmmaker. ... This article is about the year 2000. ... Brian Dennehy in Death of a Salesman Brian Dennehy parodied in South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut Brian Dennehy (born July 9, 1938 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA) is an Irish-American actor who has appeared in movies, television shows, and stage productions. ... Elizabeth Franz Elizabeth Franz (born Elizabeth Frankovich on June 18, 1941 in Akron, Ohio) is an American actress of stage and television. ... Ronald J. Eldard (Born: February 20, 1965 in Long Island, New York, New York) is an American film actor. ... Richard Thompson (born 3 April 1949) is a British musician, best known for his guitar playing and songwriting. ...

Bibliography

Born Losers: A History of Failure in America, by Scott A. Sandage (Harvard University Press, 2005).

Foster, Richard A. "Confusion and tragedy: the failure of Miller's 'Salesman.'" in Two Modern Tragedies: Reviews and Criticisms of 'Death of a Salesman' and 'Streetcar named Desire'. Ed. John D. Hurell. Scribner's, 1961, pp. 82-8.

External links

Image File history File links Wikiquote-logo-en. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Joyce Carol Oates (born June 16, 1938) is an American author and is the with the Program in Creative Writing at Princeton University, where she has taught since 1978 ([1]). She serves as associate editor for Ontario Review, a literary magazine, and the Ontario Review Press, a literary book publisher...

Categories: 1949 plays | 1951 films | 1966 films | 1985 films | 2000 films | Arthur Miller plays | Best Director Golden Globe | Best Drama Actor Golden Globe (film) | Films directed by Volker Schlöndorff | Films based on plays | Pulitzer Prize for Drama Arthur Asher Miller (October 17, 1915 â€“ February 10, 2005) was an American playwright, essayist and author. ... In 1936, Arthur Millers first play, Honors at Dawn, for which he won the Avery Hopwood Award, was produced at the University of Michigan. ... The Man Who Had All the Luck was an early (1944) play by Arthur Miller. ... All My Sons is the name of a 1947 play by Arthur Miller. ... An Enemy of the People (original Norwegian title: En folkefiende) is a 1882 play written by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen. ... The Crucible is a play that was first written by Arthur Miller in 1952. ... A View from the Bridge is a play by Arthur Miller originally produced as a one-act verse drama on Broadway in 1955. ... Incident at Vichy is a play by Arthur Miller focusing upon the subject of anti-semitism in Europe. ... Arthur Asher Miller (October 17, 1915 â€“ February 10, 2005) was an American playwright, essayist and author. ... The Creation of the World and Other Business is a play by Arthur Miller. ... The American Clock is a play by Arthur Miller. ... The Last Yankee is a play by Arthur Miller. ... Everybody Wins is a play written by Arthur Miller, who also wrote the screenplay for the film of the same name directed by Karel Reisz released in 1990 starring Debra Winger and Nick Nolte. ... Cover to the Penguin Group edition. ... Resurrection Blues (2002) is Arthur Millers penultimate play. ... Finishing the Picture is Arthur Millers final play. ... The Misfits is a 1961 American movie, written by Arthur Miller, directed by John Huston, and starring Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe, Montgomery Clift, Eli Wallach and Thelma Ritter. ... Arthur Asher Miller (October 17, 1915 â€“ February 10, 2005) was an American playwright, essayist and author. ...