2.2.2
Time
Time: Past & Present
Time: Past & Present
In Death of a Salesman, time is manipulated to allow instantaneous shifts between past & present.
Use of sets
Use of sets
- In Death of a Salesman, Miller’s use of set design (e.g. transparent sets), projections, backgrounds, lighting and costume allow him to flit between past and present, all depending on Willy’s thoughts at the time.
Flashbacks
Flashbacks
- This use of flashback or “continuous present” can be unsettling.
- E.g. when Willy talks to Ben during his card game with Charley. The audience sees Willy’s mind disintegrating before its eyes.
The Great Gatsby
The Great Gatsby
- The past is of crucial significance in The Great Gatsby, with its central protagonist driven to “repeat the past” in his love affair with Daisy Buchanan.
- The enigma of Gatsby’s past, and the various rumours which swirl around concerning it, also adds to his allure.
The Great Gatsby flashbacks
The Great Gatsby flashbacks
- Fitzgerald also uses flashback.
- E.g. with Jordan Baker’s recounting of meeting Gatsby and Daisy as young lovers in 1917.
Tess of the D'urbervilles
Tess of the D'urbervilles
- In Tess of the D'urbervilles, the central protagonist is haunted by, and unable to escape, her past.
- Hardy’s insistence on Tess’ ancestry, and his use of ancient, prehistoric settings (such as Stonehenge - the place of Tess’ arrest) help to elevate Tess’ story to tragedy.
1Introduction
1.1Introductions
2Act One
3Act Two
4Extended Passage Analysis
5Character Profiles
5.1Willy & Linda Loman
5.2Biff & Happy Loman
5.3Other Characters
6Key Themes
7Writing Techniques
7.1Structure
7.3Expressionism
8Historical Context
8.1Historical Context
9Literary Context
9.1Tragedy
10Critical Debates
10.1Introduction
10.2The Marxist Reading
10.3The Feminist Reading
10.4The Eco-Critical Reading
10.5Other Debates
Jump to other topics
1Introduction
1.1Introductions
2Act One
3Act Two
4Extended Passage Analysis
5Character Profiles
5.1Willy & Linda Loman
5.2Biff & Happy Loman
5.3Other Characters
6Key Themes
7Writing Techniques
7.1Structure
7.3Expressionism
8Historical Context
8.1Historical Context
9Literary Context
9.1Tragedy
10Critical Debates
10.1Introduction
10.2The Marxist Reading
10.3The Feminist Reading
10.4The Eco-Critical Reading
10.5Other Debates
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