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3.46 AVERAGE
3.46 AVERAGE
borrrrinng! typical "oh shit the American dream does not actually work for everyone?????" drama and I'm just tired of it sorry
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
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
Throughout the play you, as a reader, go back and forth from the present and past. These transitions are seamless and staggering, it's as if you are there, present with these characters.
The plays dialogue is amazing. Miller's writing is beautiful and I look forward to reading more of his plays.
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BIFF: Willy! I ran down eleven flights with a pen in my hand today. And suddenly I stopped, you hear me? And in the middle of that office building, do you hear this? I stopped in the middle of that building and I saw — the sky. I saw the things that I love in this world. The work and the food and time to sit and smoke. And I looked at the pen and said to myself, what the hell am I grabbing this for? Why am I trying to become what I don’t want to be? What am I doing in an office, making a contemptuous, begging fool of myself, when all I want is out there, waiting for me the minute I say I know who I am! Why can’t I say that, Willy?
...
BIFF: I am not a leader of men, Willy, and neither are you. You were never anything but a hard-working drummer who landed in the ash can like all the rest of them! I’m one dollar an hour, Willy I tried seven states and couldn’t raise it. A buck an hour! Do you gather my meaning? I’m not bringing home any prizes any more, and you’re going to stop waiting for me to bring them home!
WILLY (directly to Biff): You vengeful, spiteful mut!
BIFF (at the peak of his fury): Pop, I’m nothing! I’m nothing, Pop. Can’t you understand that? There’s no spite in it any more. I’m just what I am, that’s all.
The plays dialogue is amazing. Miller's writing is beautiful and I look forward to reading more of his plays.
---------------
BIFF: Willy! I ran down eleven flights with a pen in my hand today. And suddenly I stopped, you hear me? And in the middle of that office building, do you hear this? I stopped in the middle of that building and I saw — the sky. I saw the things that I love in this world. The work and the food and time to sit and smoke. And I looked at the pen and said to myself, what the hell am I grabbing this for? Why am I trying to become what I don’t want to be? What am I doing in an office, making a contemptuous, begging fool of myself, when all I want is out there, waiting for me the minute I say I know who I am! Why can’t I say that, Willy?
...
BIFF: I am not a leader of men, Willy, and neither are you. You were never anything but a hard-working drummer who landed in the ash can like all the rest of them! I’m one dollar an hour, Willy I tried seven states and couldn’t raise it. A buck an hour! Do you gather my meaning? I’m not bringing home any prizes any more, and you’re going to stop waiting for me to bring them home!
WILLY (directly to Biff): You vengeful, spiteful mut!
BIFF (at the peak of his fury): Pop, I’m nothing! I’m nothing, Pop. Can’t you understand that? There’s no spite in it any more. I’m just what I am, that’s all.
Reading through the one-star reviews of this book I can understand how the story and its message are not something extraordinary. Some may take into account Miller's background and how his life was rather peaceful and how he maybe didn't face such strong tragedies himself, so how would he understand Willy's perspective? And yea he didn't really give much voice to his female characters in this piece (but he definitely made up for it by giving a voice to the real Marilyn Monroe later).
Despite all that, I absolutely loved it. It was my first time reading him and I am also not used to reading plays but I devoured this one and it made me feel a LOT. I also thought it was interesting how someone once said he wasn't confrontational at all in real life, but he let it all out in his plays.
I found it really surprising how the play was not hard to read at all, given the fact that small bits from the past keep interfering with the present action during the whole play. I plan on watching it filmed on stage soon, as I am really curious of how everything takes place.
Despite all that, I absolutely loved it. It was my first time reading him and I am also not used to reading plays but I devoured this one and it made me feel a LOT. I also thought it was interesting how someone once said he wasn't confrontational at all in real life, but he let it all out in his plays.
I found it really surprising how the play was not hard to read at all, given the fact that small bits from the past keep interfering with the present action during the whole play. I plan on watching it filmed on stage soon, as I am really curious of how everything takes place.
my first play outside of school shakespeare
it’s moving and the characters feels tangibly hurt. a bit convoluted at times though.
7/10
it’s moving and the characters feels tangibly hurt. a bit convoluted at times though.
7/10
Had me gripped from the opening line! Really tells the devastating story of the common man realizing he’s completely expendable. It’s easy to to fault his character. The plot mainly blames Arthur for having the wrong dream, but this was - still is - the blueprint given to us for success. Our job defines us - it answers: did we work hard enough? We’re we smart enough? Likable enough? Did we come out on top?
Biff realizing over the years that his father is flawed - unfaithful, temperamental, desperate, put all hid dreams on his sons’ shoulders, verbally berates his wife - was gut wrenching. Is it fair to consider Biff a failure? If we judge him by his career, perhaps. I think character speaks louder than success.
4 stars because Arthur Miller’s ability to make me feel empathy for a character I dislike is astounding. I cried hard after I finished this, amazing amazing read!
Biff realizing over the years that his father is flawed - unfaithful, temperamental, desperate, put all hid dreams on his sons’ shoulders, verbally berates his wife - was gut wrenching. Is it fair to consider Biff a failure? If we judge him by his career, perhaps. I think character speaks louder than success.
4 stars because Arthur Miller’s ability to make me feel empathy for a character I dislike is astounding. I cried hard after I finished this, amazing amazing read!
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
sad
slow-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
This classic has been on our bookshelf for YEARS. So long now that my husband has forgotten how and why he had it. It has been on my tbr simply because I figured I should read it. Short enough to read in a day, or a weekend but definitely not lighthearted. A tragic, cautionary tale.