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3.46 AVERAGE
3.46 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
fast-paced
The only words I could associate with this play before I read it were "American Dream". Apart from that, I was virtually clueless about the actual plot and characters of this play. Now that I'm done with it, the only word that comes to mind is "ugh". I can only hope that I was not meant to like these characters, because I don't. Willy Loman lived completely in the illusion of the American Dream; he was convinced that being liked is all you needed to succeed. Well, sorry, it isn't. Bernard is living proof of it, since he's ultimately highly successful despite not being a hugely charismatic person. Still, Willy's unable to accept the truth and desperately wishes to be liked, which not only ruins himself, but also his family. There's Biff, who ultimately realizes that the American Dream is just that, a dream not meant for him, and I couldn't help but feel sorry for Willy's wife, who seems to be the only decent person in that household, but is often shushed by his unfaithful husband. Happy is the only person I don't know what to make of; he seems so useless and I disliked him the moment he talked down on his co-workers because he is oh so much better. So, ugh.
Still, the play is well written. Willy's daydreams are cleverly woven into the present actions, and you can see Willy's already fading sanity going down the drain. If I'm giving this play 4 stars despite hating half the characters, it's because even I, who usually doesn't make much of hidden messages, could easily look beyond what I saw.
Still, the play is well written. Willy's daydreams are cleverly woven into the present actions, and you can see Willy's already fading sanity going down the drain. If I'm giving this play 4 stars despite hating half the characters, it's because even I, who usually doesn't make much of hidden messages, could easily look beyond what I saw.
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I forgot how much of this play is written like a dream. Sometimes it can be confusing to know what is "real" or what is just part of Willy's imagination or memories that are flooding into one another. This is a depressing story, but I think it is still worth reading because it discusses the American Dream and the impossible standards that we are expected to achieve. Sometimes it isn't our faults, it's just the hand that we were dealt.