Literary Analysis Techniques for Death of a Salesman
This page focuses on providing guidance for analyzing and commenting on Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman". It outlines a structured approach to literary analysis, emphasizing the importance of examining various elements of the play.
The page suggests a three-part structure for analysis:
-
Introduction: This should include an opening statement about the play or the specific scene being analyzed.
-
Main Part: This section should cover content and characterization, including:
- Analysis of stage directions
- Description of character traits, behavior, and development
- Examination of language and word choice
- Discussion of how characters interact and differ from each other
Vocabulary: Stage directions are instructions written in the script of a play that indicate stage actions, characters' movements, or changes in the set.
- Conclusion: This should summarize the most important findings of the analysis.
The page emphasizes the importance of connecting characters' behavior to stage directions and analyzing how the language used reflects the characters' backgrounds and emotions.
Quote: "Vernacular language full of colloquial and slang words and insults... appears to be exactly the language the characters speak in their real life; true to life style."
The document also provides guidance on how to structure a commentary on the play, suggesting a similar three-part structure: introduction, main part (which should support opinions with evidence from the text), and conclusion.
Highlight: The analysis techniques provided can be applied not only to "Death of a Salesman" but also to other literary works, making this a valuable resource for studying literature in general.
