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james1star's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
It is a well written and theorised critique of capitalism and the so called ‘American Dream’ where we follow the Loman family (Willy, Linda, and their two grown up children Biff and Happy) along with other characters. The main story takes place over 2 days starting with Willy coming home early to find his children have come to see him, he’s obviously tired and work out from his job as a travailing salesman but tries to hide this. He talks with Biff about his life and, with Happy, think up a plan to go into business together and the following day Biff will ask a former employer for a loan and Willy buys into this dream. The following day Willy goes to work asking to be a stationary salesman as the travelling is too tiering at his age (50-60s I think) but is instead fired. He then goes for dinner with Biff (who’s plan didn’t go to plan) and Happy and have another argument which is picked up on at home where Biff lies out that he isn’t - and will never be - the man his father dreams and wants him to be and that he’s always struggled in jobs and life because from a young age this notion of you will have anything you want has been driven into him but instead it’s made him unresponsive to orders and hence failure. He says she’s going to leave and for his family not to worry about him anymore. A LOT more happens and there are flashbacks and side plots/characters too but I somewhat summarised the plot.
This was good in how it shows the negatives of this ‘you are perfect’ notion we install in our kids and how nuance and real life is different and should be taught as well. Also Miller’s criticism of the ‘American Dream’ is done well and likewise capitalism and how the world is powered and centred on money, what we earn, what we can sell, these physical things not metaphoric ‘likeness’ or ‘respect’ which Willy seems to value more - at the end of the day they don’t pay the bills is the kind of ideal set out.
What I didn’t like is how we are meant to symphysis’s without these characters but I didn’t… because to do so, we are normally meant to like them, but I didn’t. The portrayal of women isn’t the best with Linda really not adding much, she seems like a prop in some sense but of course at that time her position was seen as lesser then her husband’s and sons. Willy is shown to stop her speaking abruptly and rudely and in other aspects is not the nicest person suffering from some of what we’d now call fragile masculinity such as not talking about his mental health, thinking he needs to be the breadwinner and provide, not wanting to take favours and other things. Biff and Happy are okay but how they talk of ‘having’ girls and their outlook is rather sexist - how they’ve been brought up thinking they are the shit does impact this and possibly not all blame can be on them. These are just some thoughts.
Lastly, despite being quite short (114 pages) it did somewhat drag on in some parts. As a beginner to plays I don’t think this was the best choice but all in all it did make sense and concluded in a understandable manner.
It was okay with some important points but lacked characters I could bring myself to care about.
Moderate: Infidelity, Grief, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Mental illness, Misogyny, and Suicidal thoughts
andreathrs_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Infidelity
kennie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, Suicide, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Infidelity
solouncapitulomas's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Infidelity
Moderate: Death of parent, Suicide attempt, and Death
miiamatu's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Car accident, and Mental illness
Moderate: Death of parent, Misogyny, Death, Dysphoria, Gaslighting, Grief, and Infidelity
tavijs's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Dementia, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Death and Death of parent
lbetzien's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
rory_john14's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, and Suicide
diego133's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Car accident, Dementia, and Suicidal thoughts
niaaaaa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Moderate: Death of parent, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Mental illness
Minor: Abandonment, Bullying, and Car accident