Gellburg/Case relationship Scene 4

Miller has presented a professional relationship between the authority figure (case) and the employee (Gellburg) to establish a work relationship between the two.

Therefore when Gellburg talks about Jerome's success in the army and there is "no reaction from Case", the audience can see that Case takes no interest in the overlapping between private and professional spheres.

Miller presents Case as perhaps holding anti-semitic views. "It's quite surprising for one of you people."

Miller's use of collective address suggests anti-semitism. case could be representitive of American society at the time that the play is set (1930s). As Jews were widely considered lower in society and were subject to many prejudices, such as the claims contributed by Case that Jewish people normally just want roles in education.

Case's authority is heightened through Miller's direct mode of address (Case- "Gellburg", Gellburg - "Mr Case"). Could also suggest that Case lacks respect for Gellburg.

This scene is a device to show how Gellburg's personal dilemmas affect his whole life. This is shown prominently in Gellburg's cathartic outburst at Case "What is happening, what the hell is happening" which could be interpreted by the audience as his persinal life taking over his proffesional life.

Miller presents Case as the overall authority figure between the pair as a mechanism to immasculate Gellburg and compromise his authority. He can command Gellburg: "Sit down for a moment. (both sit)"

This could suggest to the audience that Gellburg treats Sylvia oppressively and aggressively in his private life (Scene Three: "He goes to his knees to yell in her face") as a way to make up for the lack of authority in his professional life.