Reference no: EM133329380

Questions:

1. Summarize the three articles. What is the author's perspective in each? What connections do you draw between any of the articles and ideas raised in Death of a Salesman?

"Harder for Americans to Rise from Lower Rungs".

"Death of a Salesman's Dreams":

"Fatalism and the American Dream"

Connections?:

2. Aristotle defined tragedy and a tragic character as follows: "A person of noble stature who has a fatal flaw (often arrogance or over confidence) that leads to his or her downfall. The suffering is not wholly deserved and through that suffering, the character gains some self-awareness that turns his or her defeat into a sort of triumph. The play should not leave the audience feeling depressed but rather with a sense of compassion and awe."

Is Death of a Salesman a tragedy and Willy Loman a tragic hero, or is his death just the sad demise of a small and misguided man?

3. Does Linda help or hinder Willy when she overlooks his small sales and his dishonesty?

How else does she influence Willy? Discuss Linda's remark, "Attention must finally be paid to such a man!" What is the effect of her speech when she switches from very personal remarks to this sort of general statement? What larger idea in the play is this pointing toward?

4. Some viewers/readers believe that this play is a criticism of Capitalism and the American way of life. Discuss your reasons for agreeing or disagreeing with them. What, if any, are the social implications of the play?

5. Discuss Charlie's final lines in the play: "Nobody dast blame this man. You don' understand: Willy was a salesman. And for a salesman, there is no rock bottom to the life. He don't put a bolt to a nut, he don't tell you the law or give you medicine. He's a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back--that's an earthquake. And then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you're finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory."

What do these lines mean? How does this line relate to a larger purpose or idea in the play? Do you tend to agree with it or disagree?

6. What questions do you have that you would like to discuss?