Death of a Salesman

DEATH OF A SALESMAN: FILM NARRATIVE

In Death of a salesman, Arthur Miller uses a number of story and production elements to establish themes and ideas. Director Volker Schlondorff uses a variety of film techniques to set the mood and offer the audience an interpretation of the play. Story elements are used to involve the audience and convey the messages in the play and production elements are used to enhance the effects these messages, themes and ideas have on the audience. Willy Loman’s first flash back or dream of the past uses a number of story elements and film techniques to give the audience an insight into the family when and Biff and Happy were still young.

Opening Sequences are very important in the lead up to this scene as it is the first dream of the past that Willy has and the audience aren’t familiar with Willy’s situation. After the establishment of Willy’s psychological illness established by the other characters the scene begins with Willy in the kitchen ap...