Death of a Salesman Deconstructive Criticism

If one examines Willy and his relationship with Biff, he will find that it is very
inconsistent. Through the eyes of a deconstructive critic, one can see that Willy’s feelings are
always changing and he can never be completely happy or angry with Biff. They appear to be on
good terms for awhile and then a few lines later, they are on bad terms. For example, in Willy’s
memory of Biff as a senior in high school, he brags to everyone about Biff’s success in football
and could not wait to tell of Biff’s touchdown passes in Boston (19). Willy is so proud of his son
and his accomplishments, which include “scholarships to three universities” (20). Biff and Willy
appear to have a strong father, son bond that will never be broken. Unfortunately, this bond is
clearly severed as time goes on because Willy is disappointed in Biff and where he is in life.
After Linda tells Willy that Biff is simply “finding himself” Willy responds by saying that “not
finding yourself at the age of thirty-four is a disgrace!” (6). Biff is not making much money and
in the eyes of his father is a failure. Moreover, Willy is angry with Biff and how he does not do
anything claiming that “Biff is a lazy bum!” (7). A few lines later, though, Willy says that “there’s
one thing about Biff — he’s not lazy” (7). Willy says one thing but then immediately contradicts
himself. It appear that he cannot make up his mind about how he wants to feel towards Biff and
how he views him. In addition, after Biff lies and tells Willy that he has a lunch appointment for
a business, Willy exclaims, “You got it! You got it!” (81). There is a clear sense of pride
expressed by Willy because of Biff’s advancements in the business world. However, after Willy
realizes that Biff was lying about the appointment, he becomes angry again. Biff says that he is
going to leave once and for all and Willy tells him to “rot in hell if you leave this house!” (95).
Willy goes back and forth on his feelings towards Biff and contradicts himself when he speaks
about his son.

Death of a Salesman

Quote: "Because the man who makes an appearance in the business world, the man who creates personal interest, is the man who gets ahead. Be liked and you will never want." - Willy Loman 

Question: What does this quote reveal about Willy and his personality and philosophy? Do you think his values are good and are ones to be lived by? 

 

New Year's Walk Reflection

As you can see I took pictures of many different sunsets from my deck over break. As for my walk I took pictures of some plants in the sun and some frost on a car window. I love the detail found in nature and am amazed at the artwork of God. As I walked, I reflected on this past year and how much I have learned and grown. I am amazed at what has happened in just a year. Something I really focused on was my growth as a softball player and the recent developments in my softball career. Softball has always been a huge part of my life and committing to Lewis & Clark this fall has been huge. I am so incredibly excited and am blessed that God has looked after me and my love for softball. I have stayed injury free and am so thankful for the talent that God has given me. Growing closer with the people in my life this past year has been amazing and I am looking forward to making new friendships in 2016. I have made the decision and resolution to journal everyday. I want to make my own prayer journal and look back on it at the beginning of 2017 to see how I have grown in my faith and to see what God has been doing in my life. I am excited to begin this new journey in this new year and though so many things are changing, I am so thankful that the Lord stays the same through it all and I will always have Him as my rock. 

Soliloquy Re Write: To Pee or Not to Pee

To Pee or Not to Pee: A First World Problem

To pee, or not to pee? That is the dilemma—

Whether it is better to relieve oneself from the burdens of a full bladder

The pain of holding it in

Or to rise up out of one’s most comfortable bed in the dead of the night,

And, by rising up, ruining one’s sleep? To pee, to relieve—

And by peeing we would end

The discomfort and the natural feeling of fullness

That nature bestows upon us— ’tis something

We wish for! To pee, to relieve.

To relieve, perhaps to relax— hey, there’s the catch,

For in that relief great sacrifice must come

When you think about the sacrifice

That is what might make you hold in the urine. That’s the thing

That makes us prolong our visit to the room of rest

For who would want that discomfort 

The tossing and turning in bed, the tired eyes in the morning,

The pangs of the bladder, the delay of morning,

The risk of the wetting of the bed, and the pain

That we endure by simply lying in bed,

When we could end this discomfort by simply getting up and walking

Using our own two feet? Who would want to lie in bed 

With a full bladder,

But the dread of getting up in the cold, dark, quiet house,

Walking along the freezing hardwood floor

Going into the darkness, makes us think

And bear the burden of a full bladder

Than to go into the dark and cold

Thus thinking about the inconvenience of it all makes us stop

And thus we lose our will to get up

We become burdened with thought 

And our motivation, 

With this in our minds, becomes lost

And we do not get up

Antigone Trial Reflection

I think that the trial went very well. Everyone debated and argued their points in an organized and intelligent manner. If we were to do this again, I would like to make sure that what we are on trial for is made very clear because it seemed as though some of the jury was confused. I think the way that the jury voted was well organized because it helped people not be biased or base their opinions off of their friends. I think that cross examination did a very good job with their questions and making their points. I do think that the judges should be able to exercise more power and make points themselves. I really liked doing the trial and I think that it helped us understand the play better by putting ourselves in the shoes of the character. Although I was just a director and did not act as a character, I feel like I was able to better comprehend the story and how I felt about her innocence and guilt.

Antigone quote and question #2

"I think, for what my young opinion's worth,
That, good as it is to have infallible wisdom,
Since this is rarely found, the next best thing
Is to be willing to listen to wise advice" (page 145 Lines 718-722).


Do you think that infallible wisdom exists? How would Creon's future and the futures of the other characters have been different if Creon had been willing to listen to his advisors?

Antigone quote and question

"Often the thoughts of those who plan dark deeds
 Betray themselves before the deed is done.
The criminal who being caught still tries
To make a fair excuse, is damned indeed."

page 139

Do you agree with this statement made by Creon? Why or why not? Possibly relating to Crime and Punishment?