Your strategy meeting with the project managers was very efficient. They have asked if you would be able to take part in the creation of the presentation itself. In working with the head project manager, you decide that you will create the first portion of this presentation that will focus on Death of a Salesman. You have a meeting with the project manager and come up with a rough outline of what components need to be included in this presentation.
Please include the following in your presentation based on the play Death of a Salesman:
Discuss the importance of the setting/staging within this play. How would the play be different if the setting/staging were changed? Provide an example.
What is the underlying theme developed throughout the play- and how do the elements of the drama (characters, setting/staging, plot, structure, style, imagery, etc) reflect this?
Here are some sites which may be of help. However, before I can give you specific ideas, I would need to know what kind of project. Look at the themes and motifs section of this site. Setting is extremely important to the message of this play.
http://www.sparknotes.com/lit/salesman/
http://www.cummingsstudyguides.net/Deathof.html
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To create your presentation on the play Death of a Salesman, you'll need to address two main points: the importance of the setting/staging and the underlying theme developed throughout the play. Here's how you can approach each point:
1. Importance of the Setting/Staging:
a. Start by explaining the setting of Death of a Salesman, which primarily takes place in Willy Loman's house and his son Biff's memories.
b. Highlight the significance of the house as a symbol of the American Dream and Willy's aspirations. Discuss how it represents both the promise of success and the reality of failure.
c. Emphasize how Willy's house becomes a metaphor for his deteriorating mental state and the crumbling illusion of his success.
d. Explain that the staging in Death of a Salesman is crucial in conveying the passage of time and the blurred boundary between reality and fantasy. Discuss how the use of flashbacks and non-linear storytelling contributes to this.
Example: To illustrate the impact of changing the setting/staging, imagine if the play were set in a modern office instead of Willy's house. This would significantly alter the play's atmosphere, making it harder to convey Willy's internal struggles and the clash between his dreams and reality. It would also affect the audience's interpretation of Willy's character and the broader themes of the play.
2. Underlying Theme and Elements of Drama:
a. Identify the underlying theme of Death of a Salesman, which revolves around the American Dream, identity, and the pursuit of success.
b. Discuss how various elements of drama contribute to the development and reflection of this theme:
- Characters: Analyze Willy Loman's character and the conflicts he faces, such as his desperate desire for material success and his strained relationships with his sons.
- Plot: Explore how the plot revolves around Willy's disillusionment and eventual self-destruction, depicting the tragedy of unattainable dreams.
- Structure: Explain the use of a fragmented narrative structure, employing flashbacks and memories, to reveal the characters' deep-seated issues and the cyclical nature of their struggles.
- Style: Comment on Arthur Miller's realistic dialogue and use of symbolism throughout the play.
- Imagery: Highlight the recurring motifs, such as the seeds or the symbol of the American Dream, and discuss how they enhance the thematic depth.
By addressing these components in your presentation, you'll provide a comprehensive analysis of Death of a Salesman, focusing on the importance of setting/staging and how the elements of drama contribute to the play's underlying theme.