Seminar 4 Flashcards
(14 cards)
What does David Riesman mean when he writes about “character” in his
book?
The part of “Character” that is shared among social groups, the product of the experience of these groups
Do you agree with Riesman’s arguments? Do they apply to all subjects or
a certain type of subject?
No, I do not agree that the arguments apply to all subjects, only certain types of subjects.
Tradition-Directed Character
Definition: People guided by long-standing traditions, customs, and social norms passed down from ancestors.
Context: Common in pre-industrial or agrarian societies.
Social Control: Comes from elders and community enforcement of traditions.
Behavior: Highly conformist and resistant to change.
2. Inner-Directed Character
Definition: Individuals guided by internalized values and a “psychological gyroscope” installed early in life, usually by parents.
Context: Dominant in early industrial societies, particularly during the rise of the bourgeoisie.
Social Control: Internal, stemming from childhood upbringing and discipline.
Behavior: Independent, goal-driven, but potentially rigid or guilt-ridden.
3. Other-Directed Character
Definition: Individuals guided by the expectations and preferences of peers and mass media.
Context: Emerges in advanced industrial, consumer-driven societies.
Social Control: Comes from social feedback and the desire to be liked or accepted.
Behavior: Adaptable, sensitive to trends, but prone to anxiety and loss of self.
What are the main points of Scott A. Sandage’s epilogue?
He talks about people who belive they are born losers, because they fail to live up to the American Dream of “making it”. Being born a loser is a sort of “badge of honour”, then.
Can you identify the central ideas, motifs, and commentaries of Death of
a Salesman
THE AMERICAN DREAM
The central idea in death of a salesman is that Willy Loman who has worked all his life, payed of his morgage and raised two children whilst staying married to his wife Linda, is still not recognised for his “achievement”, so he is a failure, not because he’s worked all his life (trught the depression even) but because he is not recognised.
How are the main characters of the play introduced? What is your
impression of their personalities?
Willy Loman: Hardworking man who struggles to be recognised and therefore reach the american dream fully.
Happy:
Biff:
Linda: Realist, smart, holds the family together, she is just
Ben: A selfmade man and an oppertunist
How do the character’s surroundings shape your impression of the
narrative? Any objects you notice in particular?
Do the scene instructions impact your perception of the lines in the play.
Yes, scene instructions are a big part to the play, they are there to underline certain points and emhpasise certain ideas. Willy for exampe talking to himself in the background sort of emphasises the idea the he is lonely and depressed perhaps.
Does Death of a Salesman experiment with temporality? How so?
Yes, I belive Willy Loman lives in and for the future, he is thinks he will “make it “ one day.
How does Neagle’s
painting portray
working-class
identity?
The portrait of Pat Lyon by the artist, John Neagle, revolutionized the realm of American
portraiture. It is the first known portrait depicting a laborer at work. Pat Lyon’s personal
story, the social climate of early America, and his pride in being a working blacksmith
formed the basis of his choice to be portrayed in this way. Pat Lyon at the Forge
demonstrates not only a new style of painting and subject, but also a new attitude
towards the laborer and his place in society.
What is the
significance of the
painting’s details?
Clothing, location,
tools etc.
… How does
Hopper’s painting differ from Neagle’s? (colors, motif,
location)
Hopper uses brighter colours, perhaps to signify a brighter optemistic future, while Neagle uses more realistic colours, lots of brown and beige colours to signify realism perhaps
Pop! I’m a dime a dozen, and
so are you!
What does Willy Loman mean by this quote?
He means that he is so common that he is practically worthless. He does not see himself as very special.
What does temporality mean?
the state of existing within or having some relationship with time.
