Death of a Salesman - Assignment Example

Assignment 8: (Answer Death of a Salesman” is the masterpiece of American Arthur Miller, which portrays the dark, dim, drab and dismal picture of the family of Willy Loman. The play depicts how man’s plans end in smoke and come out to be a complete failure when fortune refuses to stand by him at the need of the hour. Willy, the protagonist character of the play, had been a successful salesman in past, and has rendered valuable services for the increase in sales volume of the company where he has been serving as a salesman. He has refuted his brother’s offer of joining him in jungle to earn a lucrative amount out of timber, as being a thorough and committed salesman, Willy is determined to stick to his own profession. He is also optimistic regarding the future of his brilliant sons, as he has paid due heed to their upbringing and education. But now the fortune takes a drastic turn and Willy meets continuous failures and all his business tours and sales ventures end in fiasco. He has already made several foreign tours for the sales purposes as well as for the growth of his master’s company, but as he has grown 63 years, it has become hard for him to continue traveling on regular basis. He maintains high hopes regarding both of his sons i.e. Biff and Happy, but they also undergo failures and financial instability. Consequently, all his dreams he drew for the uplift and happiness of his family go to dashes. In utter disappointment, he commits suicide as he is unable to see his family in continuous decline. Hence, the theme of the play is this that it is not mere attractive personality, qualification, skill and devotion that brings successes and happiness in life. Rather, fate regulates the activities of human beings. In addition, the author admits to state that wishes do not come true in this life, and all dreams thought and portrayed by the individuals appear to be mere delusion of eyes. Assignment 9: (Answer): Sir William Shakespeare is undoubtedly the greatest playwright of all ages and belongs to every place and country of the world. The same is the case with his marvelous works, which seek no match in diction and theme. His wonderful tragedy under the title “Othello” depicts the very reality that lack of proper awareness regarding one’s environment and the people as well bring destruction and turmoil in man’s life. Othello, the great general and protagonist of the play is unable to look into the well-knitted conspiracy plotted against him by Iago and Roderigo. Being a brave, dauntless and courageous general, he must be aware of every activity being conducted all around him. His strict action taken against his lieutenant Michael Cassio and beloved wife Desdemona proves him a narrow-sighted and haughty person, who is unable to read between the lines and smell the conspiracy against him and his associates. Since he is well acquainted with the fact that some opponents have already tried to ensnare him through Brabazio in the royal court, he must have remained well-alert in future in order to combat with the further nefarious plots designed by his rivals to humiliate him in the eyes of the king. But his stubbornness and hasty decisions not only forces him kill his beloved wife, but also cause his own fateful end, as he stabs himself to death on coming to know the innocence of Desdemona through Emilia’s mouth. Assignment 10: (Answer): Henrik Ibsen is a distinguished Norwegian playwright and novelist, and has produced such great plays like “Wild Duck”, “Hedda Gabbler” and others. He has command over portraying the characters of society in their real image. Having domination and acquaintance with human psychology, Ibsen extracts the inner feelings and thoughts of his characters by drawing out the actual conditions of their hearts and minds. Hedwig’s character in “Wild Duck” proves his mastery of diction and sympathetic heart where he lays stress upon concealing such bitterest realities that may hurt the feelings of others and may turn their life worse than hell even. He vehemently condemns so called moral values prevailing in society and advocates the hiding of some unpleasant secrets for the benefits and interests of all. His splendid work “A Doll’s House” also focuses upon individual, family and social life of his characters, where he aims to describe how minor faults and tinny mistakes lead towards great destructions and failures in human life. In his Wild Duck, he appears to be censuring Gregers Werle and his so called moral values which ruins Hjalmal Ekdal and his family life. In the same way, he denounces Helmer’s definition of morality in “A Doll’s House”, where Helmer’s wife Nora endorses fake signature of her father on a promissory note just to save the life of her ill husband Helmer. But instead of appreciating and admiring her efforts, Helmer rebukes her and concentrates upon so called honesty, integrity and straightforwardness. Consequently, the same woman i.e. Nora who was once determined to forge a check for the cure of her husband, decides to leave him forever due to his obstinate nature and haughtiness. Krogstad’s character is also loveable and sacrificing in the play, as he puts aside such moral values that may snatch joys from a happy family. Assignment 12: (Answer): One of the most innocent and sublime poetesses and novelists of Victorian Era i.e. Emily Bronte (1818-1848) maintains very respectable place in the history of English Literature. Her beautiful poem “No Coward Soul is Mine” wide opens new horizons of thoughtfulness and meditation to the readers by realizing the significance of mortal man’s relation with his immortal Lord. The poem shows Emily’s unwavering belief and unflinching trust in Almighty God, the Creator; and she appears to be as firm as rock even suffering from the then incurable disease i.e. tuberculosis. The poem submits to state how this brave and dauntless young girl remains resolute even while standing at her death-door. The poem has been written in the form of stanzas, where its rhythm and diction makes it a superb piece of literature. The poem is reflective in tone, mode and nature, and the poetess has applied emotive language in it. The poem though apparently looks subjective, but is objective in theme and gives a universal idea of love and devotion for the Supreme Being. The poem fervently observes that every creature including man, animals, sun, moon, stars and others have to taste the death sooner or later. And it is the Creator that is immortal; He will survive for good, and will alive forever and ever. “Though Earth and moon were gone, And suns and universes ceased to be, And thou wert left alone, Every Existence would exist in thee,” Hence, this symbolic and rhythmic poem is a wonderful expression of belief and dedication to the Lord. Read More