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Irony
Definition of Mood
The mood of a piece of writing is its general atmosphere or emotional complexion—in short, the array of feelings the work evokes in the reader. Every aspect of a piece of writing... read full definition
The mood of a piece of writing is its general atmosphere or emotional complexion—in short, the array of feelings the work evokes in the reader. Every aspect... read full definition
The mood of a piece of writing is its general atmosphere or emotional complexion—in short, the array of feelings the work evokes... read full definition
Mood
Explanation and Analysis:
Death of a Salesman is tragic and somber—a sense of sadness prevails over its ordinary dialogue. While conversations between characters like Biff and Linda rarely stray from the everyday cliches about household appliances or women, Miller exploits the play’s theatrical form—especially that of narrative and music—to emphasize the sorrow and foreboding that hangs over the play.
Miller pairs the work with music to reinforce the immediate emotions within a scene. The stage directions note that “gay and bright” music ushers in Act 2, for instance, and a “raucous” soundtrack fades in to preempt the turmoil of memories before Willy enters the restaurant. By the play’s end, a lonely “flute” presides over a darkening stage to capture the sorrow of thwarted dreams. The music, which ranges from dreamy to turbulent, calls attention to the fragility of Willy’s aspirations and the unforgiving nature of the world around him.
More importantly, the play expresses its despair by virtue of its very plot. Death of a Salesman takes the form of a staged work, over the course of which dreams are deferred and suspended. It sets a tragic hero—one with relatable desires and longings—onto the stage and constructs a sense of loss through the process of charting his fall. Miller steps aside to let Willy himself, with his extravagant desires and meager reality, tell it all.
