Death Of A Seller: Arthur Miller American Dream

Death of a seller: Arthur Miller American Dream

We will take as a starting point the theatrical text "Death of a traveler" by Arthur Miller, written in 1949. In this essay, it will be analyzed how temporary changes in scenographic molts are reflected. At first, we will work from one of the most outstanding literary procedures in the text: "Dididascalicas": "Instructions given by the author to his actors to interpret the dramatic text" . In this way, the scenic changes; The lights and the variation in the intensity of its colors, that is, the scenic space builds a topo-semantic to the interior of the text, while the music indicates a temporal process from the diversity of instruments which allows us to understand the temporality in the work and how a drastic change is generated between the past and the present. A deterioration and a failure in the current time and a hope of success and memory in the past reflect the problem of the main character. Therefore, the analysis presents the manifestation of a drastic passage between times with a minimum procedure of attenuation in the lights, the appearance of music, and the scenery that transforms the spaces. 

First, scenographic lighting is introduced as part of the theatrical framework. Acting as decoration of the scenographic space. Through its intensity and color, create changes of emotions and approaches in history. It is presented at the beginning, the "threatening orange glow" or in another passage, the "blue light of the sky" both examples, come from different lighting filters.

Causing a juxtaposition of colors, between warm and cold, highlighting shadows in the distance. In this way they create, symbolically, an environment of deterioration. At the same time, shadows produce an appearance of urban metropolis. Therefore, by distinguishing the house of "Los Loman" the audience perceives the anachronism created by the difference of height in the constructions (appointment). An instance of "pathetic fallacy" is marked: a moment where through objects of the scene or what is considered the scene, emotions of the main character of the work and space in which he lives both in the present and in his memory are revealed . When this concept is defined, the segment that continues is descriptive, "as the light intensifies" the most detailed aspects of the house and its deterioration are marked. It is very clear how the scenography is designed to highlight these temporary contrasts that the family suffers. Especially through "a dream atmosphere" that tends to be a constant in the work. (When?)

Second, there are temporary changes that come through instrumental melody. It is clear that the flute participates as the main instrument, and evokes certain landscapes and attitudes that are necessary to accompany the dialogues and the description. In the beginning, “a melody interpreted in a flute. It is dim and delicate, ”is perceived by the public, who can interpret a quiet landscape. As the melody evokes "grass, trees and the horizon" a parallel is allowed with the current situation of the main character, who being deteriorated, is shown in a delicate state. It is important to denote how at times Willy seems to feel the music. When Willy is in a dream climate and I remember "he hears music, but does not seem to realize" but when the melody ceases, this falls on the present situation "Flute music has ceased. Willy sits in bed (…), somewhat stunned."Then we can deduce that the only instrumental accompanies the dream climate. Therefore, "music intensifies until you reach a mocking frenzy" taking place in situations that enraged Willy, which bring a mixture of temporary and past temporalities, and it is somehow the crisis of our character. Exemplifying with the fight between Willy and Charley, which leads to a discussion and proves the disbelief of Willy in the capitalist system of the thirties.  Music acts as a mockery to Willy and his beliefs.Finally, spaces can be interpreted, given by the contrast between the privacy of the home and the outside world. In this case, scenographic changes act as symbols. When starting with "loobing the view towards the" an illusion is suggested, since behind them there are high constructions, they function as a mask towards the truth. Forming a parallel with Willy’s memories. There are no more trees due to the passage of time "after it some high and angular shapes that surround it on all sides", a symbol of anachronism is formed, given by the garden that surrounds the house. On the other hand, the office: “Howard comes out, pushing the table, on the left. Willy, exhausted, looks at the void."Here, Howard’s jovial attitude is contrasted with Willy’s (appointment). So an intermediate between extremes is highlighted: the garden as a symbol of the past and the office as a symbol of the present. 

Finally, the kitchen is the space in which Willy suffers the passages to the past most frequently. Taking into account this line of thought, when "Willy is left alone in the kitchen, discouraged, with the look fixed" feelings of defeat, and discouragement, that are seen in the present. While, the "flashbacks" refer to the past and is the way to turn the kitchen into the place to revive those memories, such as "Willy closes the refrigerator and approaches the kitchen table. He is completely excited and outlit a slight smile " .In conclusion, it can be determined that scenic changes carry a pattern with them. The lights tend to appear in their different sharpness depending on the degree of tension of the situation; They are usually more faint when Willy remembers, since the lack of light evokes a dream atmosphere and memory. Therefore "the light intensifies" in times of tension where the climax of the scene occurs. Lighting focuses on temporary passages. In the same way, music appears, represented in the flute melody. Where this plays the role of temporary passage. You can divide into three, first instance is the music completely off, where character already passed through the trance of the present to the past and is completely mired in his memory. Second, Willy at his happy moments the music marks the time and emotions of Willy. Finally, "music intensifies until you reach a mocking frenzy" that this takes place in situations that enraged Willy, thus bringing a spacetime disorder, reflecting the character’s crisis.

Therefore, we can conclude that music, space and lights are the three main procedures for the change in flashbacks, generating a time-triangulation between them and giving the literary procedural construction that is built between the past and the Present. 

Bibliography

Miller, a. (2013). Death of a traveler . Buenos Aires: Tusquets.Pavis, p. (s.F.). Theater dictionary: dramaturgy, aesthetics, symbology. Bs.ACE.Tollinchi, e. (1989). Romanticism and modernity: fundamental ideas of the 19th century culture. Río Piedras, Puerto Rico 00931: Editorial of the University of Puerto Rico.