[daviddennis]

I just want to know why people read stuff like Death of a Salesman.

There's enough gloom in the world through the news without adding to it through literature.

I don't want to read or listen to a gloomy story. If I'm giving my time to something, it has to be optimistic and in some way positive.

Why all this focus on gloom and tragedy in literature -- and in literature classes?

I can't think of something surer to turn off students than gloom.

It sure turned me off when I was required to study literature.

D

[dead]

I just want to know why people read stuff like Death of a Salesman.

Because it is beautifully written and heart wrenching. A bit cornball in parts, but it also really lets good actors show their stuff.

Yeah, it's depressing, but my life is so damn happy, I need a bit of maudlin gloom to wipe that idiotic smile off my face now and then.

[bboop]

I think it is a glorification of post-War (WW2) Existentialism. It is rampant in 'modern' music, too, and movies. "Life is the pits; it is hollow, without meaning, without form and shape." And then they go about debunking heroes, sacrifices, anything that smacks of rising to the highest potential of the human condition. Popularly known as 'I may as well go eat worms.'

[TheBrotherhood]

"Why all this focus on gloom and tragedy in literature -- and in literature classes?"

The intent of Death of a Salesman was and continues to be just that - the spreading of doom and gloom into Christian societies. It ain't no literature; it's just a trashy propaganda piece intent on the destruction of Western culture by its enemies.

[formercalifornian]

I took a lot of English and drama classes. You are right. Man, I'll never forget the agony of having to go through Eugene O'Neill's Long Day's Journey into Night. Awful stuff. I think it's time to imagine conservatives in charge. Imagine what a syllabus in a conservative-run university would be like with at least half conservative faculty teaching the courses. We should dream and plan.

[Lancey Howard]

I just want to know why people read stuff like Death of a Salesman.

Because there is a book report due and the Golden Key Classic comic book version is tough to find.

[rcocean]

True tragedy is uplifting and is not a downer.

Very little of today's "art" is classical tragedy. Its mostly just cynicism or sentiment masquerading as profundity.

I'm like you, if the movie is negative, it has to be very, very, good for me to go see it.

[LibKill]

I just want to know why people read stuff like Death of a Salesman.

Because their english teacher makes it a requirement.

That was easy. now for my next trick........