Setting,+Staging+&+Props

SETTING The setting of the play is laid down very vividly by Arthur Miller in the opening of the book. The detailed description of the stage set up allows readers to envisage what the play would look like, as well as helping directors and set designers realise the play. ·  The “angry orange glow” suggests conflict or aggression ·  The living room which you can’t see suggests a sanctuary and a place to escape – it could also suggest secrecy ·  The towering buildings suggest being trapped or claustrophobia ·  Transparency  à  fragile/frail/dreamlike ·  Dreamlike nature also seen in description of “grass and trees and the horizon” ·  Flute music suggests the idea of dreams and aspirations ·  The house seems to not belong in its surrounds – possible reflection upon a character’s situation? STAGING The staging of the play allows limited set changes with most of the house to be in view all the time. This allows the audience to see what all the characters are doing throughout the play, for example at the start; even though Happy and Biff are not involved in any of the dialogue we can see them asleep in their room. The front apron allows the play to drift in and out of the past and present. The specific stage directions are necessary to ensure the director manages to convey the transformation between past and present. The stage directions clearly illustrate where the changes occur and how they should be executed. Specific stage directions also allow Miller to convey his vision for the play in a lot more detail and to try and keep productions as close to his original idea as possible. PROPS Stockings – stockings have connotations of sexual desire and infidelity. Willy’s insisting of Linda buying new stockings serves two purposes. It shows how he wishes to be successful financially and believes he can prove he is by affording to buy his wife new stockings instead of making her fix her old ones. It also shows his guilt for cheating on Linda with another woman. The silver athletic trophy – connotations of success Rubber hose pipe – a constant reminder of Willy’s fragile state of mind and his possible suicide.
 * Death of a Salesman – Staging/Setting /Props **