Reflection on Course Materials 11-4-12
As of late, our energies have been focused on Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman. Like The American Dream, it focuses on every day Americans' quest for satisfaction. Willy Loman, a salesman who has relied on his 'personal attractiveness' to succeed in the business, is losing his touch. A desperate, aging child is not attractive to customers, though his eager-to-please persona used to work. His two sons represent the reasons for his failure; Biff is moody and overly-idealistic, while Happy has no work ethic or principals. This book condemns the fate of salesmen- spending their lives convincing people to choose this brand over another- meaningless, right? But someone has to do it, and if you do it for your family, isn't that what matters? No, says Arthur Miller. There are some serious Marxist overtones to this show.
What really gets me is how Linda is stuck with her loser sons and her crazy husband and she is the only reliable person in the bunch. It is so unfair that she has to deal with it all, and she never grows as a character. She is just the responsible mother to all. I think it was rather chauvinistic of Arthur Miller not to empower her, or to even highlight the tragedy of her situation.
I really love the daily vocabulary usage activity, but I am still sort of lost when it comes to our weekly schedule. The chapter about America was more related to what we have been studying, but we didn't have much preparation for the essay. Sometimes the online work and the class work don't completely synthesize, and I feel like I am in two very interesting but separate lit classes. I'm adjusting to it, but its still a little confusing.
Hi Emily!
ReplyDeleteI thought the comment on Linda being stuck with her "loser sons and crazy husband" was pretty hilarious. I also agree that it's unfair that she's stuck taking care of all of their problems, though I also have heard other opinions saying that Linda isn't so great either. I enjoy the Tone Word challenges too! (If that's what you meant by the vocabulary usage activity) Though I can never come up with anything quick enough to get candy. I'm also with you with the schedule/ assignment confusion.
The class is a little disjointed, and most of the energies HAVE been focused on Death of a Salesman. Personally, I think everyone is this story is at fault and that they should all move to Alaska or somesuch nonsense. The vocabulary exersises are a refreshing break from the monotony of normal school activities and I enjoy them as well
ReplyDeleteHey Emily, I really liked this response. Like really. I really like how you related Death of a Salesman to the American Dream(by Arthur Miller). I'm also interested in your sympathy for Linda in DOS. Personally, I'm irritated with her character and I find that in a way she is being irresponsible for not letting her family be responsible...if you know what I mean. It's like doing someone else's homework for them because you don't feel like teaching them. In this case Linda doesn't feel like letting her sons and husband learn their own lessons.
ReplyDeleteAs for the online vs. class work, I totally agree with you. I wish every Monday or Tuesday or at least every four weeks or something we would be able to discuss what we're doing online as well.