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The Men Who Couldn't Stop Crying, and Other Unbearable Realities

Jacob Geller・2 minutes read

The play "Death of a Salesman" by Arthur Miller explores themes of failure, unattainable dreams, and the harsh reality of the American Dream, sparking controversy and fear in audiences. The translation "Memorial" of Homer's Iliad by Alice Oswald aims to evoke Enargeia, a Bright, Unbearable Reality, by recreating funeral and mourning rituals, capturing the intense emotions and experiences of the characters.

Insights

  • "Death of a Salesman" by Arthur Miller resonated with audiences in 1949 due to its exploration of failure, unattainable dreams, and the harsh reality of the American Dream, sparking controversy and critiques of capitalism and societal expectations.
  • Alice Oswald's translation of Homer's Iliad, "Memorial," aims to evoke the concept of Enargeia, a Bright, Unbearable Reality, to transport the audience into the intense emotional experiences depicted in ancient oral traditions, showcasing the profound impact of art in capturing vivid, challenging-to-articulate moments.

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Recent questions

  • What is "Death of a Salesman" about?

    A salesman's struggles with unfulfilled dreams and family dynamics.

  • Why was "Death of a Salesman" controversial?

    It critiqued capitalism and societal norms, sparking fear.

  • How did audiences react to "Death of a Salesman"?

    They were emotionally moved and profoundly affected.

  • What is Enargeia in literature?

    It induces vivid visualization and intense emotional experiences.

  • How did early film screenings impact audiences?

    They offered hyperrealistic encounters with the fantastic.

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Summary

00:00

Profound Impact of "Death of a Salesman"

  • In 1949, during the first production of "Death of a Salesman," the audience's reaction to the play's conclusion was profound and emotional.
  • The play, written by Arthur Miller, revolves around Willy Loman, an aging salesman struggling with delusions and unfulfilled expectations.
  • Willy's son, Biff, faces immense pressure from his father to succeed, leading to a spiral of guilt and disappointment.
  • Willy's suicide in the play highlights his desperate desire to leave a legacy and provide for his family, which ultimately fails.
  • The themes of failure, unattainable dreams, and the harsh reality of the American Dream struck a chord with audiences in 1949.
  • "Death of a Salesman" was seen as a critique of capitalism and societal expectations, sparking controversy and fear in some circles.
  • The play's impact was so significant that Columbia Pictures attempted to downplay its themes in a pre-movie short for a film adaptation.
  • The story of the men who couldn't stop crying after watching the play serves as a powerful symbol of the emotional intensity and resonance of "Death of a Salesman."
  • The authenticity of this story is a mix of primary sources like Arthur Miller and secondary sources like Mike Nichols, adding layers of complexity to its credibility.
  • Similar to the legendary reaction to the Lumière brothers' film "L'Arrivée d'un train en gare de La Ciotat," the power of art, in this case, theater, to evoke strong emotions and reactions is highlighted.

15:01

Preserving Cinema: Lumiere's Train and War Panic

  • Marty's interest in preserving cinema and honoring its history is evident in his work.
  • The panicked reaction to Lumiere's train film is likely a myth, as detailed by Martin Loiperdinger.
  • Journalists and scholars described Lumiere's train film in vivid, fearful terms, contributing to the myth.
  • The descriptions of the train film were not based on actual fear but on the inability to articulate the cinematic experience.
  • Early film screenings, like Lumiere's train film, offered audiences a hyperrealistic encounter with the fantastic.
  • The panic caused by Orson Welles' War of the Worlds radio broadcast was exaggerated by newspapers.
  • Despite the panic, only a small percentage of the population was actually listening to the broadcast.
  • The legend of War of the Worlds has been perpetuated by subsequent re-broadcasts causing panic.
  • The theme of death is central in Alice Oswald's translation of Homer's Iliad, focusing on the moment of death.
  • Oswald's translation, "Memorial," aims to evoke the feeling of Enargeia, a Bright, Unbearable Reality, experienced by the original audience of the Iliad.

30:10

"Enargeia: Bright, Unbearable Reality in Art"

  • Enargeia is a concept that induces visualization in a work, described as bright, unbearable reality, particularly evident in ancient oral traditions like Homer's works.
  • Oswald's version of The Iliad aims to recreate funeral and mourning rituals, providing a transportive effect that allows the audience to witness the last moments of a person's life, capturing the bright, unbearable reality experienced by the characters.
  • The concept of Enargeia extends to various forms of art, reflecting intense emotions and experiences that are challenging to articulate, emphasizing the profound impact of art on individuals and society.
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