1994. In some works of literature, a character who appears briefly, or does not appear at all, is a significant presence. Choose a novel or play of literary merit and write an essay in which you show how such a character functions in the work. You may wish to discuss how the character affects action, theme, or the development of other characters. Avoid plot summary.
Characters that only appear briefly or are just mentioned give a novel or play a much bigger purpose than a reader might expect. These minor characters can cause many problems and sometimes provide solutions for the main characters. In Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesmen, "the woman", who only appears twice, tears the Loemen family apart by bringing out the truth about Willie.
First seeing the women, she has no real purpose and is in the play for no reason. It is her actions and feelings toward Willie show us that Willie is more connected physically and emotionally to her because of her perfection, youth and beauty, things that his wife Linda doesn't have. The woman's qualities that Willie falls in love with sets him in a spiral. Because of the woman Willie for the first time shows that he has flaws and imperfection . When he loses control he doesn't think that his affair with the woman effected his personality, ideals and family life.
Later in the play, it can be argued that the woman is one of the most important characters. Biff enters the scene discovering that everything his father has told him is a lie and because of this woman his family is destroyed. He is pushed over the edge when he sees that "[Willie] gave her mama's stockings". Willie's gift of Linda's stockings is complete betrayal to Biff, showing the woman's real importance and an example of how one person can be the difference between a functional and dis-functional family.
The overall theme of the play is greatly shaped by the woman and her actions. While she is not in the play very long, her actions and feelings shape the other characters, their roles and their overall outcomes.
3 comments:
I think that using the woman from death of a salesman is a perfect choice, she fits the question perfectly. Your thesis is clear and answers the question very well. I think that along with exposing the truth about Willy, it exposes what kind of character he really is. A fool, self-centered, and someone who deceives himself and his family. I think that you dont really asnwer "what biff is searching for" perhaps go back and elaborate on that, though you do defintely show the effect the woman had on biff.
I think you do a good job with your opening, clear, and to the point. And your thesis is strong enough to argue. You could focus more on supporting the aprt of yuor thesis about Biff, throught your prompt, because I think you are focusing more on how the woman tears the family apart. Otherwise, change your thesis to fit your evidence.
I agree that this is a great fit for this prompt. But this essay is hard to follow because of garbled syntax. Your thesis does not answer the hidden "so what question," so it would take a big deduction for that, and then your reader would be struggling through the garbled syntax to figure out what on earth you're arguing--that's not a good combo. I know you're capable of better work than this, 'cuz I've seen you do it....
Post a Comment