Sunday, October 30

1970 prompt

1970. Choose a character from a novel or play of recognized literary merit and write an essay in which you (a) briefly describe the standards of the fictional society in which the character exists and (b) show how the character is affected by and responds to those standards. In your essay do not merely summarize the plot.
     
      Death of a Salesman shows the suffocation of a family by a dream. That dream is what created the standards that Happy grows up surrounded by. He strives for them, determined to create his self-identity the way his father showed as the only real way. He was determined to walk out of the jungle rich.
      In the boys' highschool years, Willy clearly favored Biff. Biff embodied the kind of potential that Willy wanted to see: he was popular. Though Happy was liked, he, compared with Biff, was ordinary. Many times, he tries to get Willy's attention by exercising and mentioning that he's lost weight, but Willy doesn't take notice. He constantly pushed for his own father's attention, and had an example- Biff- to work towards. That competitive spirit is instilled in him, and later it's apparent that the principles his father held in high regard became his own.
      In trying to earn his father's praise, he lunges into business. He received a certain kind of dream from his father- one of reaching the top. Greatness, and making his father proud, have become his center.

3 comments:

  1. Great analysis about Happy! Though, I think you might have missed the "meaning." What does Happy taking his father's principles for his own principles say? Maybe Miller believes " children are replicas of their parents?"

    And what exactly are the standards of the society? In the play, there are two standards. You mentioned "being popular and extraordinary" but I think you could have develop your ideas more. Think about Willy's principles versus the society's principles: charming personality versus hardworking. Willy values the artificial image one possesses and the society values the hard work one puts in. How do the two almost contradictory ideas impact Happy and his responses?

    Don't be afraid to analyze the literature even more!Keep up the good work! :)

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  2. Very good analysis. I agree with your views on Happy, but I also agree with what the previous poster (Jody) mentioned. I think you should delve more deeper into the part of the prompt asking you to analyze society's standards and how they effect the character. You mention that Happy is constantly attempting to earn his father's praise, but I think this also requires you to go deeper int what values Willy's beliefs and standards for his sons are rooted in. Also you should conclude your analysis of how attempting to reach these standards effected Happy.

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  3. I agree with your analysis of Happy, however I think you could work on your wording. Sometimes I thought it was a little hard to follow what you were saying. Also you need to be consistent with your tenses, always use the present tense when discussing literature. I think you elaborate on the effects of the standards on Happy nicely, you just need to describe more of what those standards are, make sure you are answering the prompt.

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