Miller: Death of a Salesman
In this course, Professor Grace Ioppolo (University of Reading) explores Arthur Miller’s masterpiece, ‘Death of a Salesman’. We begin by thinking about the historical context in which the play was written, focusing in particular on the development of American theatre between the 1930s and 1950s. After that, we think about the opening of the play, the character of Willy Loman and the themes of capitalism and the American Dream. In the third module, we explore the relationship between Willy and his two sons, Biff and Happy, before turning in the fourth module to the treatment of women in the play. In the fifth module, we focus on the climactic scene of the play – the scene in which Biff walks in on his father with another women – before moving on in the sixth module to consider the play’s ending. Who is to blame for everything that has happened? Has anyone learned anything?
Note: We use the Penguin Modern Classics edition of play (ISBN: 978-0-141-18274-2). Students using a different edition of the play may encounter slight differences in both the text and the page numbering.
Note: We use the Penguin Modern Classics edition of play (ISBN: 978-0-141-18274-2). Students using a different edition of the play may encounter slight differences in both the text and the page numbering.
What this playlist includes:
25 lectures across 2 courses.
All resources designed and delivered by university academics and researchers.
Courses and Lectures
1. Miller: Death of a Salesman
Prof. Grace Ioppolo
Reading University
Reading University
1.1. Context – 06:19
1.2. The Opening of the Play – 11:49
1.3. Biff, Happy and Willy – 06:10
1.4. Women – 08:15
1.5. The Climax of the Play – 12:50
1.6. The End of the Play – 12:50
2. Miller: Death of a Salesman
Prof. John McRae
Nottingham University
Nottingham University
2.1. Introduction – 23:17
2.2. Act I – Stage Directions and Set – 10:56
2.3. Act I – “It’s all right. I came back.” – 11:04
2.4. Act I – “The boys in?” – 10:15
2.5. Act I – “The Loman brothers, eh?” – 10:18
2.6. Act I – "I don’t know what to do about him" – 08:12
2.7. Act I – "I did five hundred gross..." – 07:34
2.8. Act I – “Ben was success incarnate” – 12:56
2.9. Act I – “Attention must be paid” – 07:19
2.10. Act I – “He’s been trying to kill himself” – 08:06
2.11. Act II – “It’s an accomplishment” – 08:24
2.12. Act II – “It’s a business, kid” – 09:46
2.13. Act II – “What happened in Boston?” – 07:17
2.14. Act II – “Biff flunked math!” – 08:24
2.15. Act II – “She’s nothing to me, Biff” – 08:10
2.16. Act II – “He’s planting the garden!” – 05:22
2.17. Act II – “I’m a dime a dozen, and so are you!" – 11:22
2.18. Requiem – “We’re free and clear” – 02:59
2.19. Conclusion – “A salesman is got to dream, boy” – 02:32
What Next?
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