Reference no: EM133033422

Question 1

For this first discussion, after you have finished reading Oneill's The Iceman Cometh, what particularly challenging topics do you think this play raises?

Question 2

Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman addresses the issue of bringing a vision of tragedy down to the level of the middle-class person in the 20th century through the representation of the most common activity in the American economy at that time--maybe now: sales. What kind of mindset is necessary for that kind of work, and how does it impact every aspect of Willie's life?

Question 3

Thornton Wilder's Our Town raises a number of interesting questions about this life and the afterlife. What does Emily learn about life that shd has not appreciated or understood while she was growing up? Why is that learning painful? How would you describe the attitude of those people who are dead toward the living?

Question 4

A Raisin in the Sun raises all kind of challenging questions about the culture of cities, moves to fair housing, finding a part of the American Dream which meant home ownership, and the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement. At the heart of the play is Mrs. Younger (Mama); she anchors the family. Part of the play is also about her passing the torch to her son. What strategies does Ms. Younger use to build her son (Walter Lee, Jr.) and daughter (Benetha) and her daughter-in-law (Ruth)?

Question 5

What is August Wilson's unique contribution to understanding the African-American experience? Think in terms of 4-5 ideas. Be sure to reference several of his plays.