Dramatic Tension Examples

Death of a Salesman is a fantastic example of a continuation of increasing Dramatic Tension. It is created by such methods mentioned in the title and further strengthened by the jumps between past and present. Miller also uses the continuing theme of symbolism to strengthen the tension of the play. The lasting impression is one of slight confusion, but this too aids the suspense as Willy Loman, the focus character of this tension, continues to lose his grip on reality and finally then, his life.

Essay Example on Dramatic Tension Examples

Throughout the play the audience are invited to second-guess Willy’s next actions or attempt to link his present as a result of past events. The other characters in the play are also equally vital in allowing Miller to create such heightened dramatic tension.

Often it is through their silent interactions, such as the complexity of relationships that exist only in thought or feeling. While the audience is aware of these unspoken family rifts, they are rarely exposed and this can create heightened dramatic tension.

Linda then, is a character that we learn directly very little about. It is only through her interactions with her family that her nature is revealed, and this sense of mystery adds to the dramatic tension. Where uncertainty exists, suspicion can grow; the audience may sometimes question Linda’s motives due to a lack of understanding into her character, creating dramatic tension. The audience cannot fathom why she stays with Willy and her dysfunctional family.

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Is she accepting her subordinate position as part of the nuclear family in order to hold it together? Or is she limited by her own personal inadequacies that prevent her from standing independently? Miller’s creation of a character shrouded in ambiguity allows extensive scope for dramatic tension. In fact Miller claims that he had no choice as far as the creation of Linda’s character because ‘A woman who was thinking of herself more would simply not have been there one morning, or else she would have put up such a fight so as to crush him [Willy].

‘ This indistinct character of Linda has an effect on her relationship with Willy. From the beginning of the play, her interactions with Willy are almost unnaturally devoid of confrontation, instead she seems to be constantly looking to mother and appease her husband. We see constant references in the stage directions to the ‘infinite patience’ of Linda. A constant dramatic tension hangs over their relationship, as Willy breaks down and Linda is increasingly challenged by his behaviour and distressing mental state.