The function of flashbacks in Death of a Salesman. Essay -- English Li

The function of flashbacks in Death of a Salesman. Throughout Death of a Salesman flashbacks are used continuously, typically to present the audience with the Loman family's background and show deterioration. In act one we see the first flashback at the beginning of the play. As the play starts to go into flashback the backdrop changes from the present 'Apartment houses' and the 'surroundings become covered in leaves.' The first sign of the Loman's happy past. Willy is talking sense and telling Biff to watch his schooling, giving him good advice, and then he shows his wealth, polishing the car talking about the hammock that Willy is going to buy, to the punch bag that Willy bought his sons. This all seems too good to be true and as the flashbacks are taking place throughout the play we begin to see a tragic hero uncovered, Willy. The flashbacks show his highs from the past but the reality now is his present, and his falls. As the flashback begins to uncover, We see that the past is arriving on stage before the present has left. Ben a character from the past that is dead is present in flashbacks throughout the play. But at the start his presence he is more diffuse as he spreads with all the characters in the flashback. Later Ben is still apparent but only when Willy is alone in a flashback. As the flashbacks are happening in the past, the present is still there. So as Willy is talking to Ben, Linda is confused to who Willy is talking to. The 'laughter of the past' is heard during the play from the woman Willy was having an affair with. This shows Willy conscience, and that he stills thinks about what he did. The stage directions make a point of saying, 'From the darkness', and although this is not a ... ... flashback page 15 when the skyscrapers change to trees and leaves. This shows the environment, which the Loman family used to live in. The function of flashback in Death of a Salesman has proven to be successful. It helps to show the contrast between the past and the present, an insight into Willie's behaviour, and also explains the decline that Willy is experiencing in throughout his life. The variety of moods, location and atmosphere throughout the play and its flashbacks make it easier for the audience to comprehend and get an in sight into the characters personality. This play makes it easy for the audience to relate to the characters and their lives. What the Loman's are going through is a part of reality of which many people have to deal with everyday and so by incorporating flashbacks into the script makes the theme more accessible to understand. The function of flashbacks in Death of a Salesman. Essay -- English Li The function of flashbacks in Death of a Salesman. Throughout Death of a Salesman flashbacks are used continuously, typically to present the audience with the Loman family's background and show deterioration. In act one we see the first flashback at the beginning of the play. As the play starts to go into flashback the backdrop changes from the present 'Apartment houses' and the 'surroundings become covered in leaves.' The first sign of the Loman's happy past. Willy is talking sense and telling Biff to watch his schooling, giving him good advice, and then he shows his wealth, polishing the car talking about the hammock that Willy is going to buy, to the punch bag that Willy bought his sons. This all seems too good to be true and as the flashbacks are taking place throughout the play we begin to see a tragic hero uncovered, Willy. The flashbacks show his highs from the past but the reality now is his present, and his falls. As the flashback begins to uncover, We see that the past is arriving on stage before the present has left. Ben a character from the past that is dead is present in flashbacks throughout the play. But at the start his presence he is more diffuse as he spreads with all the characters in the flashback. Later Ben is still apparent but only when Willy is alone in a flashback. As the flashbacks are happening in the past, the present is still there. So as Willy is talking to Ben, Linda is confused to who Willy is talking to. The 'laughter of the past' is heard during the play from the woman Willy was having an affair with. This shows Willy conscience, and that he stills thinks about what he did. The stage directions make a point of saying, 'From the darkness', and although this is not a ... ... flashback page 15 when the skyscrapers change to trees and leaves. This shows the environment, which the Loman family used to live in. The function of flashback in Death of a Salesman has proven to be successful. It helps to show the contrast between the past and the present, an insight into Willie's behaviour, and also explains the decline that Willy is experiencing in throughout his life. The variety of moods, location and atmosphere throughout the play and its flashbacks make it easier for the audience to comprehend and get an in sight into the characters personality. This play makes it easy for the audience to relate to the characters and their lives. What the Loman's are going through is a part of reality of which many people have to deal with everyday and so by incorporating flashbacks into the script makes the theme more accessible to understand.