Write a comment on this post explaining/outlining the argument which you would like to make in your coursework essay. I am looking for a summary of your answer, rather than the question...
You might also like to pick a section of the play on which to base your answer (particularly if it is not based on a particular character)....
I want to argue that Willy's ultimate downfall that prompted and lead to his death was the pressure of a Capitalist society on both he and his family; the unachieveable 'American Dream' drives him to become senile and suicidal. His unreachable, unrealistic, delusional goals are a result of Capitalist propaganda that has been forced upon him by society throughout the course of his life. Ben embodies this and acts as Willy's pro-capitalism alter-ego.
ReplyDeleteLOVE FROM CASSIE
I want to argue that Miller presents Willys death to be a noble action instead of that which leaves his family living in shame. He makes the choice to commit suicide to free his family from the pain and confusion he has caused them. He realises that his families is failings are mainly due to him and recognises the only way it can be fixed is for him to be taken out of the equation - so he makes the most noble act and sacrifices his own life for that of his families well being.
ReplyDeleteSophie :):):)
Sophie- really interesting idea and very closely linked to the stoic view of suicide which was at the centre of Senecan tragedy (on which Shakespeare based much of his work). Really interesting starting point might be Francis Bacon's essay "Of Death" http://www.authorama.com/essays-of-francis-bacon-3.html
ReplyDeleteand particularly the final lines: "But, above all, believe it, the sweetest canticle is’, Nunc dimittis; when a man hath obtained worthy ends, and expectations. Death hath this also; that it openeth the gate to good fame, and extinguisheth envy."
Cassie- good shout, it's clearly a personal argument and something which you'll write well on. See if you can find a quotation from Karl Marx to use as your title. Something like this might work really well:
ReplyDelete"Capital is dead labor, which, vampire-like, lives only by sucking living labor, and lives the more, the more labor it sucks."
- I want to argue that it is Willy's perception of Linda and Biff's mother'son relationship that is the cause of him downfall. I think he's jealous of how close Biff and Linda are, and feels like he's in competition with Biff for Linda's affection. The Freudian views that we looked at in class could be brought into this, but I dont want to specifically argue that Linda and Biff have a relationship that goes further than mother/son 'cos that's abit weird. But I definitely want to argue that Willy and Biff fight for Linda's affection, and that Willy's suicide is actually an act to (in some twisted way) make his wife happy. Without the shadow of Willy's jealousy hanging over Linda and Biff, they are able to embrace their closeness.
ReplyDeleteFrom Briony :) xxx
I want to argue that Willy's family is to blame for causing his downfall as they each have acts of betrayal which may have driven Willy to suicide.
ReplyDeleteWhere Willy each day is trying to achieve the American dream, certain family members in my view are perceived as business failures or are personally betraying Willy. Willy's guilt from not achieving the American dream alongside how he is also failing his family may lead him to make irrational and damaging decisions.
Jack Rowland
I want to argue how the play generally fails as a tragedy due to it's lack of catharsis in the ending, and the extreme boredom throughout the play. It fails as a play, because of the lack of 'entertainment' for the audience. Also, the emotions that are typically associated with tragedy are on the whole non-existent.
ReplyDelete> Jack Stone..
I'm planning to argue the fact that society and the American dream is to blame for Willy's ultimate downfall. Society itself has posed expectations and pressures for all Americans, to which they feel they have to abide by. Society has caused Willy to live in a dream, mistaking it for reality and he has begun to take up the belief that America should automatically give him a good living because it's what they 'owe'. Society, and the promise of the American Dream, result in corruption (e.g. Willy's death) after realisations that America is fundamentally not all it was thought to be.
ReplyDelete- Jenny Howse
I maybe wanted to do mine on the effect women had on the ulimate tragedy of the play - willy's death. I was just going to do Linda but I thought I could maybe do the effect that 'the women' had on also, and overall how Miller shows women's contribution to tragedy..?
ReplyDeleteI want to portray Linda’s effect on Willy throughout the play and her contribution to his suicidal state at the end. I want to take the view that Miller’s presentation of Linda’s character, her views on society and how she feels the need to be stereotyped adds to the pressures put on Willy. I think my main argument would be her misinterpretation of Willy’s reactions and emotions.
ReplyDelete- Katherine
Not really sure what I would like to do exactly at the moment. But, I was hoping to maybe base my essay around something feminist and possibly argue about the typical representation of Linda and the overall contribution she makes to the 'tragedy', including quotes from Germaine Greer. Also, detailing the affect this has on the audience, known feminists, the stereotypical/ modern view of women in society etc.. Basically, I have a general idea but I don’t really know specifics as I would possibly like to make it interesting/controversial.... Apologies for being difficult. :)
ReplyDeleteDid Willy fail as part of society or did society fail him?
ReplyDeleteI want to argue whether it was Willy who failed as part of society or if it was society that failed Willy. Society’s depiction of ‘The American Dream’ suggests that every man should be successful, well known and be able to provide for his family, Willy is unable to live up to these expectations and it could be argued that the bar is set too high and is an unachievable task. Willy spends his life driving towards this image under the belief that it is the only way to be a success in life, however is unable to reach that goal and therefore it could be said that he fails as part of society.
Ryan
I’m planning to do my essay based on the idea that Willy fails as a part society and this leads to his downfall. Yes, society has high expectations that may put pressure on people and they feel that they have to abide the ideas of American Dream, but if everyone else is following these societal beliefs and are coping with it, then why can’t he? Everybody has to live with these pressures. And because he is failing as a man, he feels that the noblest act and he can do is kill himself for both his and his families sake.
ReplyDeleteLauren