[Grammar] Passive Voice - Arthur Miller

[Nathan Lindop]

Hello, whoever may be reading this I hope you can help

The first words of Death of a Salesman in the stage direction are "A flute is heard." I was just wondering if the flute is the subject of this sentence, what is the object? Is it 'heard' or it it the inferred ear. Or is it something else that my mind just can't comprehend? I appreciate any answer I'm looking to learn here, aren't we all. Thank you

 

[MikeNewYork]

When a sentence is cast in the passive voice, what was the object (in the active voice) becomes the subject.

Active voice: [Somebody] heard a flute. The subject is [Somebody] and the object is "a flute".
Passive voice: A flute is heard. The subject is "A flute". There is no object. "Heard" is part of the verb.

 

[Nathan Lindop]

When a sentence is cast in the passive voice, what was the object (in the active voice) becomes the subject.

Active voice: [Somebody] heard a flute. The subject is [Somebody] and the object is "a flute".
Passive voice: A flute is heard. The subject is "A flute". There is no object. "Heard" is part of the verb.

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