Tone In Arthur Miller's Death Of A Salesman

Tone in Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman” “Tone is the attitude a literary work takes toward its subject, especially the way this attitude is revealed through diction” (Mays, A12). Tone is important in drama because it has a vocal tone that affects the meaning of the words (Mays, 1445). The tone of “Death of a Salesman” by Arthur Miller is sympathetic, honest and mocking. The tone of “Death of a Salesman” is sympathetic. It is sensitive to the very real pain and suffering of the characters. One example is when Biff first experiences Willy talking to himself. In stage directions “A look of pain cresses Biff’s face” Biff then says, “Mom’s hearing that” (Miller, 2117). This demonstrates Biff’s for himself and for his Mother. Another example was when Biff was getting upset with Willy because he was being rude to Linda. In stage directions Willy “Suddenly pulling on his cheek beaten down, guilt ridden” (Miller, 2137). Here is where Willy is feeling guilty about getting upset with Linda. It also foreshadows the rift between Biff and Willy because of …show more content…
Mocking Willy’s blind acceptance of a very hollow, materialistic version of the American dream. One example of tone being mocking was with Willy’s theory of being “well liked” and being successful. Willy says, “Because the man who makes an appearance in the business world, the man who create personal interest, is the man who gets ahead. Be liked and you will never want” (Miller, 2121). This line is mocking because Willy is just a mediocre salesman. Another time the tone was mocking was at the end at Willy’s funeral. Happy says, “All right boy. I’m gonna show you and everybody else that Willy Loman did not die in vain. He had a good dream. It’s the only dream you can have-to come out number-one-man. He fought it out here, and this is where I’m gonna win it for him” (Miller, 2175). It is mocking that Happy is going to follow in Willy’s footsteps and