Death of A Salesman Act 1- (Pages 11-69)

Characters in Act I Part I Willy Loman – an aging salesman, he suffers from depression and anxiety about his failing career. As the play progresses, Willy loses the ability to distinguish between past and present. Linda Loman – Willy’s wife, she is his defender and attempts to salvage her family. She defends Willy at all costs, even if it means indulging his fantasies and denying his suicidal thoughts. Biff Loman – The Loman’s oldest son, he has been estranged from Willy for fifteen years. He represents failed potential and is unable to hold a job. He knows Willy’s secret. Happy Loman – Loman’s younger son, he is a womanizer, driven by sexuality. He exaggerates his authority at his job. Ben Loman - Willy’s older brother, he made a fortune in Africa. He appears only in Willy’s memories and fantasies. Willy’s former lover - she is only in Willy’s memories. Bernard – Willy’s neighbor’s son– he is all that Willy wanted Biff to be.

Parent Profile Before completing Journal 2: Write a profile for: the Enabler, the Abuser, or the Good Dad. 1. Dad gives his son _______ for his birthday. 2. Dad makes sure to tell his son every day that ___________________. 3. When his son works hard to lose some weight and succeeds, Dad __________________. 4. When his son shoplifts from a local store, Dad ________________________.

Themes for Act I- Part I The American Dream While many critics have presented this as an attack on American values– it is clearly not what Arthur Miller intended. It is an exploration of the betrayal of those values and the cost of this in human terms. Basically, Willy completely internalized the values of his society that he judges himself by standards rooted in social myths rather than human necessity.

Theme: The American Dream We have discussed that the American Dream that is represented in Death of A Salesman is not intended to mean the downfall of the American Dream, but rather an American Dream that Willy can’t seem to obtain or rather be satisfied with. To Willy, the American Dream is the ability to become prosperous by mere charisma. Willy believes that personality, not hard work and innovation, is the key to success. Time and again, he wants to make sure his boys are well-liked and popular. Of course, Willy’s version of the American Dream never pans out for obvious reasons. List three ways in which Willy’s American Dream has not panned out so far. Feel free to include Happy and Biff in your list. Do you believe that in today’s society parents would agree with Willy’s idea of the American Dream for their children?

Theme- Nostalgia/ Regret Willy seems to constantly have a wistful desire to return in thought or in fact to a former time in his life, he seems to have a sentimental yearning for the happiness of a former place or time (mainly his son, Biff’s, youth). Why do you think that is? While Willy wants to return in thought to a happier time it also seems to bring unbearable pain to him. Why is Willy constantly stuck between nostalgia and regret?

Discussion for Act 1 The American Dream, the idea of the happy ending, is an avoidance of responsibility and commitment ~ Jill Robinson. Do you think that Willy Loman would agree with this quote? Why?

Remember Your Literature Term Focuses Irony- The contrast between what is expected to and what actually exists or happens. Three types- Dramatic, Situational, and Verbal. Foreshadowing- A writer’s use of hints or clues to indicate events that will occur later in a narrative. This technique often creates suspense and prepares the reader for what is to come. Conflict- The struggle between opposing forces and is the basis of plot in dramatic and narrative literature. Two types– Internal and External. Tragic Hero- A central character in a drama who is dignified or noble. A tragic hero possesses a “tragic flaw” that brings about or contributes to his or her downfall. The tragic hero recognizes his or her own flaw and its consequences, but only after it is too late to change the course of events.