Death of a Salesman opening

'A melody is heard, played upon a flute. It is small and fine, telling of grass and trees and the horizon'

• gives a relaxed atmosphere 
• peaceful, delicate sound 
• Juxtaposition and contrast - escapism 
• contrasts with the loud and busy New York

'The setting is wholly or in some places, partially transparent'

• maybe there is something the audience will know, but not the characters
• can't hide
• could suggest that the characters have no secreats - we know everything already/simple characters
• the audience being able to see into the family's house means that we can see everything that goes on - nothing is hidden 

'On a shelf over the bed a silver athletic trophy stands'

• the trophy could symbolise what achievements Willy expected from Biff
• power and achievement - past power and achivement, so has lost it
• reminder of what he used to have, as over the bed is very visable and important 
• portrayed as strong jocks
• the use of silver, not bronze or gold, shows they were good at sports, but not quite good enough 

'An air of the dream clings to the place, a dream arising out of reality'

• The American Dream
• unhappy and unsuccessful
• a happy, successful life 
• only happening because of what is going oon in reality
• possibly an unwanted dream
• the family never get it, but still try
• desperation 

'Willy's imaginings...'

'Scences of the past'

• shows his mind set and portrays his character as distracted and dreamy
• plural - shows it's a reoccuring thing in the play
• a character might be fixated on the past, due to them being unhappy with their lives or situation in the present 

'...we see a solid vault of apartment houses around the small, fragile - seeming home'

• surronded by people/families iin a similar or worse situation to the Lomans
• the family is trapped
• broken and unstable