Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.46 AVERAGE
3.46 AVERAGE
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
sad
tense
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
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a very heartbreaking book but is a brilliant examination of the futility of the American dream. One of the best plays I’ve ever read!
dark
emotional
reflective
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not a fun play, but it is a great one!
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A wonderful story that shows the pains of making it in America. Willy Loffman is a example of the working man who has been a company man. Going thru the rat race to make it. However thruought the story we find he has disillusioned himself about life, what it means to work and live. Hyping up his dysfunctional family. Biff his son sees thru this, and refuses to follow in his fathers footsteps into business. Instead preferring to work with his hands in areas he enjoins. This causes tensions with his family. With his father hating him for failing to do anything with his life. Thru the dialogue we find out that Willy, who is now back on comissson has lost his touch and his mind, and has attempted multiple suicide attempts. Including putting a gas fuse blocker on the furnace. To appease Linda, Bifs Mom he agrees to work on business. Thru flashbacks we find that Biff was the star quarterback in the football team, had an excess of confidence, with everyone wanting to be by him. Including his cousin Bernard who looked up to him. He was supposed to attend UV. Thru the second act, we find Biff came to terms with the lies and delusion and accepted who he is; a working man who enjoys blue collar work and doing it with his hands. His brother Happy makes himself seem bigger then he is, carrying their fathers lies. Biff had became disillusioned with life after failing math, and having gone to Boston see his father on a sales trip, where e found out his father had a extra material affair. After a confrontation with Willy, the two somewhat reconcile. Willy is happy, but with his mind gone do to stress, having been let go, and gone, he ends his life in a car crash. This leaves his wife Linda, who has been faithful to him thru his troublemaking a widow. Biff and Happy disagree how to live life, with happy wanting to go prove them wrong. <spoiler/> the book is a story of a dysfunctional family and of how the rat race consumes everyone indiscriminately. How those who wish to escape it are frowned upon. And how the American Dream of the picket white fenced house is overshadowed by the consumerism of the era and of a constant race to be the best and make the most. Where exceptionalism is shown, it’s met with the reality all are dimes a dozen. That no man is truly exceptional. All are replaceable. It leaves the reader questioning what matters. With the closing epilogue. That, maybe Biff, in his alfoones of being settled and knowing himself leads the true life. For being true to yourself and what you like to do helps. For dreaming is good, but at the cost of delusion in a harsh careless consumeristic capitalist society is deadly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Suicide attempt
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Verdict: A tragic look at the struggles of middle-class America told in a confusing (purposefully) and meandering way. I'd definitely be intrigued to see a live version of this play.
.
.
REVIEW:
I don't often read plays becauze I know the story takes on a whole different understanding and presence when performed, just as intended. But I'm glad I gave this one a shot.
While it may have been written almost 75 years ago, the story remains poignant today. Perhaps even moreso when we see how the middle class has been declining.
The story unfolds in a labyrinthian manner which really highlights the mental decline of the main character. It's honestly a bit heartbreaking to watch it unfold in such a way.
Although it can come across as an "average" family drama or tragedy, I think that makes it even more relatable. The ending is also one that I could see coming a mile away, but it didn't lessen the impact of it. I'd really like to see a live performance someday.
.
.
REVIEW:
I don't often read plays becauze I know the story takes on a whole different understanding and presence when performed, just as intended. But I'm glad I gave this one a shot.
While it may have been written almost 75 years ago, the story remains poignant today. Perhaps even moreso when we see how the middle class has been declining.
The story unfolds in a labyrinthian manner which really highlights the mental decline of the main character. It's honestly a bit heartbreaking to watch it unfold in such a way.
Although it can come across as an "average" family drama or tragedy, I think that makes it even more relatable. The ending is also one that I could see coming a mile away, but it didn't lessen the impact of it. I'd really like to see a live performance someday.
*4.5
Read again for school and loved just as much if not more. Definitely the best thing I've read for school.
Read again for school and loved just as much if not more. Definitely the best thing I've read for school.