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DEATH OF A SALESMAN FILM NARRATIVE
In Death of a salesman, Arthur Miller uses a number of story and production elements to establish themes and ideas. Director Volker Schlondorff uses a variety of film techniques to set the mood and offer the audience an interpretation of the play. Story elements are used to involve the audience and convey the messages in the play and production elements are used to enhance the effects these messages, themes and ideas have on the audience. Willy Loman’s first flash back or dream of the past uses a number of story elements and film techniques to give the audience an insight into the family when and Biff and Happy were still young.
Opening Sequences are very important in the lead up to this scene as it is the first dream of the past that Willy has and the audience aren’t familiar with Willy’s situation. After the establishment of Willy’s psychological illness established by the other characters the scene begins with Willy in the kitchen apparently talking to himself. Outside it is dark. As Biff and Happy appear outside the scene begins on a clear autumn day. Willy has a surprise for the boys and as their voices intertwine a conversation is established and Willy becomes completely absorbed in his flashback. The boys are polishing the car their and immediately we are introduced to them as young boys. The opening sequence establishes expectations in the audience that there will be an insight into the boy’s childhood and Willy’s dreams for his boys, especially Biff. The audience is given the opportunity to see the family as it once was, to help us understand Willy’s situation.
Themes begin to surface in this scene as relationships are established and we begin to learn of the character’s dreams and aspirations. The most important theme introduced in this scene is the American dream. Willy’s great dream grows from the belief that a well liked and personally attractive man in business will deservedly receive all that is offered by modern American life. The encouragement he shows to Biff in many ways reflects his expectations of his dreams. Willy allows Biff to “borrow” the football from the coach to practice and believes there to be no fault in his boy as it shows initiative. He praises Biff for being well liked by the coach and teaches Biff that the rewards of being liked by everyone is great; encouraging him to steal, abuse the coaches trust and filling him with confidence. The dream is superficial and the emphasis placed on physical appearance is shown by Happy, proudly telling his father that he’s lost weight. Happy’s actions reflect Willy’s way of bringing up his sons. School papers on Death of a Salesman
Bernard’s appearance also demonstrates Willy’s lack of real values and true dreams for his sons. Bernard informs Willy that Biff is failing math and not only does he tell Biff that academic excellence is not important but encourages him to laugh at Bernard because he is a nerd.
In this scene the influence a father has on his son is also displayed. Willy’s dreams are passed onto his sons. He not only fails to teach his sons morals but also encourages them to be egotistic and judgmental. Willy believes success is achieved not through hard work and dedication but through confidence and being well liked.
The characters developed in this scene are Willy, Biff, Happy, Bernard and Linda. Both Biff and Happy and well built and strong. Their similarity in physical appearance reflects the importance the family places superficial values. Bernard is presented as a contrast to the Loman brothers. He wears glasses and in the film is dressed in nerdy school uniform like clothing, carrying books. Biff is wearing sporting clothing, he and Happy circle around the yard with a football throwing it to each other. Throughout the scene Biff walks and talks in an over confident manner. When Linda tells Biff that the “cellar is full of boys. They don’t know what to do with themselves.” And that he should go and tell them what to do, this emphasises Biff’s control and over confidence. Happy is constantly eager to please his father and fighting for attention. He tells Willy a number of times that he is losing weight and in the film as Willy is telling Linda his week’s earnings Happy is staring eagerly at his father doing push up. Happy values his father’s opinion and is eager to please him, while Willy often concentrates more on his elder son. This again emphasises Willy superficial ideals. He favours Biff because Biff is a successful football player and brings him pride. Linda is dressed like a housewife and when she appears in the scene, she is carrying a basket with the washing to hang up. Willy has just returned from one of his trips and is still wearing his suit, this shows and normal family in American society during the time. The man makes the money whilst the woman listens and supports her husband regardless of wrong. Linda shows no independence and this is symbolically represented in the way she walks behind Willy into the house.
Symbols and the setting are carefully used to enhance the themes and development of characters. The Chevy in this particular scene is used as a symbolic representation of the Loman family’s obsession with materialistic and superficial dreams. This symbol focuses on their need to be liked by others and the importance they place on physical appearance. Both and Biff and Happy polish the car and Willy speaks of Biff wanting to impress the girls. The polishing of the car emphasises that they are forever working on the exterior the appearance, physical strength. This scene is set in the back yard, while Willy is giving his boys a big talk on success the boys throw a ball over Willy’s head to each other. Their circular movement around Willy symbolises that he is their centre, their lives orbit around him. They listen to everything Willy tells them and believes it all to be true and correct. The scene is set during daytime to show that their lives at this stage had not yet been ruined by their great dream. Biff was a successful football player and Willy was still a good salesman. As Willy and Linda moved inside the house darkness fell over Willy, this being symbolic of the beginning of his downfall. He confides in Linda telling her that it is becoming difficult to sell.
This scene contributes to the story line as it is the first of Willy’s dreams. Willy’s dreams are symbolic of his downfall. This scene emphasises his regrets and the realisation that he has failed in the upbringing of his sons. He recalls this event because he wants to remember the joy and happiness he felt at Biff’s success. He is trying to forget about the present disagreements and constant arguments he is having with his son. Through this scene the audience is able to understand more the loss that Willy feels towards his son. His sons once looked up to him and were always eager to please him. Both Biff and Happy anxiously absorbed every word Willy said. This is put in contrast with Biff asking Happy why Willy always mocks him. This shows that their relationship has been torn apart, Biff no longer sees Willy as he once did and this devastates Willy.
Time plays an essential role in the structure of the play. Through this flashback and many others the duration of the play seems like along time but it is little more than twenty-four hours. This scene is a flashback when Willy has only just arrived home from his last trip when he lost control of the car. The time he dreams this past event is night and a parallel is drawn as in the dream he too has only just arrived home from a trip. The audience must understand Willy’s situation but the time between the beginning of his downfall to the day he commits suicide is a very short period of time. Miller incorporates the history of the family into his downfall and in doing so has created a rapid effect, whilst not losing the audience.
The characters are directly and indirectly motivated by the one dream that takes different forms in the family. Willy dreams of being liked and admired by all especially his sons. Biff’s dream is to live up to Willy’s dreams and expectations and Happy’s is similar; he wants to be successful and whether it be losing weight or getting married only wants to secure Willy’s attention and pride for him. This scene shows Willy dreaming of Biff hanging onto his every word and being a star football player. The Loman family is motivated by the single dream. Willy is unable to let go of his commitment to the American Dream, and he places all the pressure on Biff to fulfill it for him. Biff is torn between Willy’s need for him to pursue a career and his natural inclinations and instincts.
This scene is presented from the point of view of Willy, as it is his dream and flashback. The reason he has this flashback is because he subconsciously wants to relive the moment when his son had every respect for him. Although it is presented to the audience as from no one perspective but as if the audience is there while the action is taking place, as it is Willy’s flashback it gives the audience a sense that we are in Willy’s mind reliving with him the glorious days when his sons were still in school and lived with him. The effect of this is that it helps the audience to establish an understanding and empathy for Willy. If another had told this flashback or if the scene had been presented as Willy solely talking to himself the audience would be encouraged to believe in his insanity and his desperation.
The closing sequence of this scene directly connects with the purpose of the scene. The scene closes with Willy confiding his fears to Linda, telling her that he is no longer popular with his buyers and that they laugh at him. This forms a contrast with the picture he painted for his sons. He recalls that he could lie to them but not to himself. He knew that his downfall was nearing yet he still taught his sons to pursue his dream. The beliefs that he followed and the tactics he used to be successful had failed him yet he continued to teach Biff and Happy to do the same. He had his flashback after realising Biff’s failure to live up to his standards and that Biff no longer cherishes everything he tells him.
Production elements used in ‘death of a salesman’ are camera and film, lighting, visual composition, editing and sound. Camera and film techniques are very important in involving the audience, this is accompanied by music to help set the mood and atmosphere. In this scene a number of different camera shots are used for different effects. The scene officially begins with a close up shot of Biff’ smiling face, the camera then changes to a close of Willy’s face. This exchanging of close up shots accompanies the characters as they speak to emphasise the happiness they feel and to establish that Willy is having a flashback. As Willy stands between the boys as they throw the ball to one another, there is a long shot of the three. This long shot includes Willy and his two sons assisting the emphasis placed on their closeness and sons and father. While the ball is being thrown Willy speaks with excitement and cheerful, lively orchestral music plays in the background, getting louder. The music helps to set the mood, establishing that the three are very close and happy and satisfied with their lives. As Willy speaks to the boys the camera concentrates on him and amongst the background orchestral music is the flute. The flute music is a symbolic representation of Willy’s mood. In this scene while he is talking to his sons the flute is accompanied by orchestral music and is joyful. As Biff and Happy surround Willy to listen to every word intently the camera pans focusing on the eager faces of his boys and Willy’s proud face as he lectures them. There is a close up on each of their faces as they speak to emphasise their expressions and their values. Happy speaks of the many girls interested in Biff and the camera focuses on him emphasising his superficial comment. As Bernard enters the happy orchestral music stops as he tells Willy that Biff is failing math, the sudden cease of music establishes that this will most likely result in Biff’s failure as an adult. As Linda appears and asks Willy how much money he made there is a close up shot of Willy and Linda’s expressions with Happy’s eager face in the distance hoping that Willy will notice him doing push ups. This shows Willy’s favourable focus on Biff and ignorance towards Happy’s needs. As Willy is admitting to Linda that no one buys his goods anymore, orchestral music with an ocassional oboe solo plays in the distance. This represents Willy’s sadness in his own downfall and helps to set the mood as he begins to admit his downfall.
The lighting throughout the scene is very bright. Nature is used to emphasise the natural carefree happiness that Willy’s boys feel and even Willy himself when he talks to them. The Chevy is bright red adding to the vibrant colours of the scene. This scene is set during the day to set the mood. The editing plays a large role in the structure of this scene. The scene moves along very rapidly to fit the mood. The light and happy atmosphere is created through the continuous movement of the characters. Bernard enters then leaves, Linda joins Willy then both immediately make their way back into the house. As Linda sits down, the mood begins to change and the pace slows down. Willy admits that he is having trouble and immediately he moves to the darker background of the hallway, Linda is still and Willy’s movement slows. The movement of the characters, editing, lighting and music all contribute to the mood of the play.
For a play to successfully convey it’s themes and messages it needs to involve the audience by securing empathy when needed and involving them through the changes in mood. This can only be done through the use of a variety of story elements and production techniques.
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