1. Get out the list you made of themes and relevant novels. We are going to make one class list, then I will introduce an assignment based on it. Finally, we will review for Monday’s test on the play.

2. Themes in Death of a Salesman Period 7 American Dream: Biff tries to start a business w/ Happy; Willy trying to make a name for himself/succeed financially; Ben; Charley; Oliver; Bernard. Other readings: The Great Gatsby; The Grapes of Wrath; Of Mice and Men. Life vs. Death: Willy commits suicide b/c he is a failure in achieving his dreams vs. he wants to provide for his family. Live as a failure vs. die and leave behind something of value. Other readings: The Great Gatsby; Of Mice and Men; The Grapes of Wrath; Ethan Frome.

3. Themes in Death of a Salesman Period 7 Selfishness: Willy’s suicide; Dishonesty/Lies/Betrayal: Willy’s affair; sons leave him at the restaurant; Biff fails math; lies to family about success/respect; Biff lies about loan and work history w/ Oliver; stealing (lumber, football, basketballs); Happy lies to girl at restaurant & Linda re: leaving Willy. Other readings: Ethan Frome, The Great Gatsby, As I Lay Dying, Of Mice and Men.

4. Themes in Death of a Salesman Period 6 The American Dream: Willy’s dreams w/ Ben to go to Alaska; wanted to be a successful salesman – wealthy and well-known; Happy wants to be just like his father; Biff moves around to find what he likes to do; Bernard and Charley achieved it. Other readings: The Grapes of Wrath, The Great Gatsby, Of Mice and Men. Betrayal/Dishonesty/Lies: Willy lying to his kids to make himself look better; The Other Woman; Happy lied to Linda re: Willy; Biff lying to himself about what his job was; Stealing. Other readings: The Great Gatsby, As I Lay Dying, Ethan Frome, Of Mice and Men.

5. Themes in Death of a Salesman Period 6 Life vs. Death: Willy committing suicide as a solution to his unhappiness or to provide for his family. Other readings: The Great Gatsby, Of Mice and Men, Ethan Frome. Pride: Willy exaggerating his job/success/importance; Biff – U of Va on shoes; Happy’s pride for Willy. Other readings: The Great Gatsby, Grapes of Wrath. Family Relationships/Dynamics: Linda still loves Willy no matter what; Biff vs. Willy; Willy w/out his father; Willy & Ben/Linda; Happy admiring Willy & Biff; Bernard & the Lomans; Bernard & Charley; Biff defends Linda vs. Willy. Other readings: As I Lay Dying, The Grapes of Wrath, Ethan Frome, The Great Gatsby.

6. Themes in Death of a Salesman Period 5 The Pursuit of Happiness/American Dream: Biff wants a ranch; Willy wants to be the best salesman possible; chasing an impossible dream; Happy is unhappy. Other readings: The Great Gatsby; The Grapes of Wrath; Of Mice and Men. Financial Problems: Willy makes little money, lives paycheck to paycheck – considering suicide as solution. Other readings: Grapes of Wrath; As I Lay Dying; Ethan Frome. Living vs. Dying: suicide a solution when dreams are unattainable.

7. Themes in Death of a Salesman Period 5 Family Relationships/Dynamics: Happy chasing Willy’s dream, falling into same traps; Biff hated Willy b/c of mistreatment of Linda; Willy vs. Biff re: disappointment, pride & joy re: football; Linda blind to Willy’s faults, subservient; Happy looks up to Biff – mutual support, respect; love. Other readings: As I Lay Dying, Of Mice and Men, Grapes of Wrath, Ethan Frome.

8. Themes in Death of a Salesman Period 5 Loneliness: Happy – “Godammit, I’m still lonely!”; Willy. Other readings: Ethan Frome, The Great Gatsby. Honesty/Lies: Willy lies about affair, money, popularity, accidents, ego; Biff lies about stealing, his job with Bill Oliver & meeting; Happy lied to Linda about Willy re: restaurant; Happy lied to Willy about Biff’s meeting. Other readings: The Great Gatsby, Ethan Frome. Influence of Past Events: Willy having no father; Ben’s temptation; Biff burning shoes.

9. Themes in Death of a Salesman Period 3 Evils of Capitalism/Competition in Economy: Ben was successful b/c he was brutal; Howard re: nepotism. Other readings: Grapes of Wrath, The Jungle. Strife of the Working Class: Willy working paycheck to paycheck. Other readings: Of Mice and Men, The Jungle, Grapes of Wrath. The American Dream: Willy; Biff; Happy; Bernard; Ben. Other readings: The Jungle, The Grapes of Wrath, Of Mice and Men, The Great Gatsby.

10. Themes in Death of a Salesman Period 3 Lies/Dishonesty: Willy’s affair; Biff’s work history re: Bill Oliver; flunking math; stealing; Willy’s image; boys lying to Linda re: Willy. Other readings: The Great Gatsby, Ethan Frome, Of Mice and Men. Family: (Dynamics/Values/Etc.) Willy & Ben re: abandonment; Linda’s priorities; boys leaving father; Willy’s parenting style vs. Charley’s re: Biff/Happy vs. Bernard. Other readings: As I Lay Dying –The Favorite Child: Biff. Other readings: As I Lay Dying Suicide: unfulfilled dreams vs. providing for family re: life insurance; which is more productive? Life or death?

11. Themes in Death of a Salesman Period 3 Negative Views of Women: Linda degraded by/subservient to Willy; way brothers treat women; Happy & girl at restaurant; Willy & affair. Other readings: Ethan Frome, The Great Gatsby, The Jungle, Of Mice and Men, As I Lay Dying, Grapes of Wrath.

12. Themes in Death of a Salesman Period 1 Life vs. Death: Willy’s struggle to decide whether or not to commit suicide. Helping family w/ insurance $ or living. American Dream: Willy trying to be successful in life; characters’ frustrations trying to find their place. Other readings: The Grapes of Wrath, Great Gatsby, Of Mice and Men Loneliness: Willy; Happy – “Godammit, I’m still lonely!” Other readings: Ethan Frome, Of Mice and Men, The Great Gatsby

13. Themes in Death of a Salesman Period 1 Honesty: Willy’s lie about the affair; Happy and Biff lie to their mother about Willy; Willy lies about his success; Biff lied about his job Other readings: The Great Gatsby; Ethan Frome; Of Mice and Men Family Relationships/”God-Awful Parenting”: Willy sets bad examples; Charley letting Bernard make his own choices vs. Willy making choices for the boys, i.e. Biff & football. Other readings: As I Lay Dying, Grapes of Wrath

14. Themes in Death of a Salesman Period 1 Reputation/Popularity: Willy assuming that leads to future success, i.e. Biff. Other readings: The Great Gatsby Pride: Willy

15. After tomorrow’s vocabulary quiz, we will begin watching a film version of Death of a Salesman. We will continue watching it after next week’s test. Once finished, you will have to write a one page essay analyzing how well two different scenes in the film demonstrated the same theme. The acting and characterization will be a key component in this, so pay close attention while viewing the film, and take notes that will help when it is time to write your essay later next week.

16. After tomorrow’s vocabulary quiz, we will begin watching a film version of Death of a Salesman. We will continue watching it after next week’s test. Once finished, you will have to write a one page scene that demonstrates one of the play’s themes. The scene could take place at any point of the play (prior to the opening, within the play itself, or after its conclusion), so pay close attention while viewing the film, and take notes that will help when it is time to write your scene later next week.

17. Your test is on Monday, March 16 th. It is worth 75 points. –15 multiple choice worth 3 points each. –2 short essays worth 15 points each. You will have 4 options from which to choose 2. –You will have a total of 20 multiple choice. From those, you need to answer only 15. You may want to answer more just in case you get some wrong. For example, if you answer 18, and 3 are wrong, you lose no points. Death of a Salesman Test Review

18. The universal appeal of the play. In other words, it transcends time and place. Willy Loman as a tragic hero vs. too pathetic to be considered one. Willy uses the term “boxed in.” Analyze how this is a metaphor for his life. Analyze Willy’s dream and how his values were distorted, false, or unsuitable. Death of a Salesman Test Essays