I am writing on death of a salesman and i am wondering about why willy loman is one of the best known tragic heros in modern literature..
Death of a Salesman portrays the tragedy of "Everyman" in 20th-century America. He tries to make a living for his family while failing to do anything significant with his life. He seeks monetary and social success but can't meet these goals. He's caught up in the buy and sell of the most materialistic capitalism but in the end achieves nothing.
For more information, check this article.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_a_Salesman
how does that make him a hero?
In this usage, "hero" means the protagonist of a story. Willy Loman's attempts and ultimate failures makes him a tragic hero.
*make (not makes)
in the book, what do the characters words and actions reveal about them?
What actions and words do you find that reveal information about the characters?
i don't know...
Please read the play/novel again and find quotes and actions that show vital information about the characters.
In "Death of a Salesman," the characters' words and actions reveal important aspects of their personalities and motivations. Here are a few examples:
1. Willy Loman:
- Willy often speaks in grandiose terms and exaggerates his own abilities, revealing his desire for success and importance. For example, he frequently boasts about being well-liked and well-respected by his colleagues.
- His constant reminiscing about the past and his reluctance to accept the reality of his current situation indicate his inability to come to terms with his failures.
- Willy's attempts to mold his son Biff into the image of a successful salesman reflect his own unfulfilled dreams and misplaced priorities.
2. Biff Loman:
- Biff's actions, such as stealing a football and losing interest in academics, illustrate his rebellious nature and rejection of his father's values. This rebellion stems from his disillusionment with Willy's dishonesty and the realization that success cannot be measured solely by financial achievements.
- Biff's dialogue with Willy reveals his conflicted emotions towards his father. While he loves him, he also resents him for his unrealistic expectations and for being a source of pressure and disappointment.
3. Linda Loman:
- Linda's unwavering loyalty and support for Willy demonstrate her love for him, despite his failures and flaws. She believes in his dreams and tries to protect his dignity, even when it means denying the reality of their financial struggles.
- Her willingness to overlook Willy's infidelity and protect his reputation reflects her commitment to maintaining the illusion of a perfect family.
These are just a few examples, but exploring the dialogue and actions of the characters will provide deeper insights into their personalities and motivations.
Here are some examples of actions and words by the characters in "Death of a Salesman" that reveal information about them:
1. Willy Loman: Through his constant need for validation and success, Willy's words and actions reveal his desperate desire to be admired and remembered. He often boasts about his sales achievements, exaggerates his importance, and recalls past successes to maintain his self-worth.
2. Biff Loman: Biff's actions and words show his disillusionment with the American Dream and his struggle to find his own identity. He rejects the idea of a regular job and desires a more fulfilling and authentic life, which conflicts with Willy's expectations.
3. Linda Loman: Linda's loyalty and dedication to Willy are evident in her words and actions. She supports him despite his failures and delusions and tries to maintain a peaceful household, even at the cost of her own happiness.
4. Happy Loman: Happy's constant pursuit of women and his desperate need for attention signify his insecurity and desire to be noticed, just like Willy. His words and actions often reveal his longing for validation from others.
These are just a few examples, and there are many more insights to be gained by closely analyzing the play and the characters' nuances.
For further analysis and specific quotes from the play, it would be helpful to refer to reliable sources such as literary analysis books or academic articles that delve deeper into the characters and their motivations.