Death of a Salesman Essay Example for Free

Death of a Salesman Essay An essay on the use of dashes in Arthur Millers play, Death of a Salesman The dash is a handy device, informal and essentially playful, telling you that youre about to take off on a different tack but still in some way connected with the present course only you have to remember that the dash is there, and either put a second dash at the end of the notion to let the reader know that hes back on course, or else end the sentence, as here, with a period. __ Lewis Thomas How does a writer a good writer convey epiphanies exactly so that its grammatically appropriate for eureka! a dash is used placed just so to convey, establish a mood, feeling, tone a character feels whilst saying a line, monologue even an exclamation wherein characters experience a lot of feeling and dominance is implied when a line is ended by a dash interruption in short by another character allowing the reader to see feel the personality traits, characteristics of a character subtlety. This simple line the dash is a many faceted gem a treasure that can be used to highlight many ideas key terms certain events jump off the page because of the use of a dash rather than an ellipsis causes a noticeable break a sharp break unlike that of an ellipsis which immediately gives off the impression of abruptness just as it appears visually a sharp-edged line in the center of a line that breaks the fluidity of words just as the dash in a sentence breaks the flow of thought or conversation. Dashes menial as they are give substance to a pause, break charging it with emotion and meaning no number of words could do the same. Although dashes may seem like a punctuation mark so rarely used, it is an integral tool in writing conversations. The dash represents a discontinuation of an intended statement a visual representation of the abruptly derailed trail of a train of thought allows the writer to interrupt characters as is normal in an average conversation like most of Linda and Willys conversations. Lindas lines are often ended by a dash interrupted by another speaker subtlety informing the reader of Lindas subservient personality. The dashes imply the abruptness of Willys interruptions thereby insinuating that he doesnt listen to her including times when she expresses her adoration for him clarifying that Willys view behavior towards Linda is rather poor- which in turn personifies Willys personality. Linda: You are, Willy. The handsomest man. Youve got no reason to feel that- Willy: Ill make it all up to you, Linda, Ill- Linda: Theres nothing to make up, dear. Youre doing fine, better than- Willy: Whats that? Linda: Just mending my stockings. Theyre so expensive- Willy: I wont have you mending socks in this house! Now throw them out! (Page 39) This whole conversation establishes the relationship between Willy and Linda Willy being the dominant though insensible one, while Linda is the subservient although quite practical one as well as giving insight to Willys guilt over the woman all done with four appropriately placed dashes at the end of a characters lines. However, dashes are not only useful at the end of lines but in the midst of a sentence as well. Just as the dash on the page is a break from the stream of words a break in the voice is represented by a dash on the page. Thus, when a character is overcome by emotions, a dash is placed in the proper place in the sentences structure and a feeling of overwhelming portions is conveyed to the reader. In a tragic play such as Death of a Salesman, the proper use of the dash is essential to establish certain key conversations and the significance of the feelings of the character and their significance in the overall meaning of the story line. Such a conversation is seen when Willy is affirmed of Biffs love (Page 133) where there was placed four dashes upon the page in the span of the conversation each of which insinuates a great deal of emotion. It is these emotions that help build the tragedy in the story line characterizing Willy and Biff in the process. When Biff tells his mom or whoever it is he is speaking to to put Willy to bed Put him-put him to bed. the dash stresses the exhaustion that Biff feels his inability to finish his sentence implies a deep caring for his father an overwhelming emotion. It is the strength of this emotion that astonishes Willy and awakens Willy to the fact that Biff still loves him, and the following lines he says are also broken with dashes so choked with love and boundless joy is he That boy-that boy is going to be magnificent! (Page 133). These statements foreshadow Willys decision to kill himself for the sake of his sons making an impact greater or equal to that of Willys statement on page 98 where he states After all highways, and the trains, and the appointments, and the years, you end up worth more dead than alive. Both statements imply that Willy is going to commit suicide, playing against each other. The quote on page 98 establishes that Willy was considering the option the possibility while the conversation with Ben prior to Biffs outburst acknowledges the cause of Willys hesitance and indecisiveness the effect the suicide would leave on Biff the opinion that Biff would have of him afterward. Thus, when Willy is offered that which is all he really wants his life as it was before, with a loving relationship with his Adonis son and the admiration that this son once had for him through Biffs compassionate voice and tears Willy makes a definite choice as to what he intends to do first seen in his line That boy-that boy is going to be magnificent! (Page 133). It is this line that resolves the inner conflict that Willy feels over Biff and over his lack of success it is in this line that Willy decides to kill himself. Without the use of the dashes, the emotions would not have been conveyed to the reader appropriately losing its power and significance in the overall storyline. Another significant line dash in the play though not necessarily filled with emotion begins Biffs voyage into realization and truth. A dash can represent a hesitance changing of mind as to what must be said to convey the thoughts and sometimes feelings of the character. I tell ya, Hap, I dont know what the future is. I dont know-what Im supposed to want. The dash before what Im supposed to want, allows the reader to realize that Biffs restlessness and lack of success is not failure not in the true sense of the word, for Biff would have to truly attempt thus want success in order to fail. Biffs definition of success is different to that of his familys and this makes him uneasy insecure as to what his life really means. This dash allows the reader to acknowledge that Biff is at a loss of exact words to define what he means and the thoughts running through his head. It is this pause that changes the overall meaning of the sentence without the pause, the sentence would pass over unnoticed. The pause dash underlines Biffs uncertainty which continues throughout the play until Biff realizes the absurdity of his situation and awakens. The dash informs the reader that here lies Biffs conflict this dash is the resolution wherein the conflict is introduced. The dash is the conflict. As a modern tragedy, Death of a Salesman is when broken down an informal play, thus the dash is the perfect punctuation for the certain situations -and sentences that needed to be highlighted in the subconscious. The dash evokes an awareness that is subtle sliding beneath our minds eye to implant ideas emotions and feelings thereby creating importance to an event or phrase. When a dash is used, its used to emphasize and encourage analysis of a phrase. The involuntary response to a dash should be curiosity as to the purpose of this dash. A dash is not so easily used and is thus, so rarely seen. Therefore when a dash is used in writing be it at the end of a line or in the midst of a sentence so attention must be paid1! Bibliography: Arthur Miller (1949) Death of a Salesman Penguin Books USA Inc. 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, USA 1 Page 56 said by Linda. Jolene Kui September 6, 2002