Death of a Salesman
Questions
Mrs. Hyatt
Honors Language and Composition
Spring 2014
For the rest of the week you will be watching Death of a Salesman.
As the first graded assignment for the fourth marking period, you will be asked to answer some of the following questions in a mature, thoughtful, reflective way. Do NOT use others’ ideas; your own ideas are far more valuable to all of us than some unknown writing for SparkNotes or Pink Monkey.
Choose four questions to answer – one from each category.
As you watch the film, jot down notes, observations, etc. that will aid you in answering the questions.
Your responses are due the Monday after break. They are to be typed and written in paragraph form – no exceptions.
Point value: 20
Category One: Willy
How does Willy represent Everyman? How does he NOT?
What is the turning point in Willy’s life? Defend your choice.
Discuss the significance of Willy’s being abandoned by the men in his life at a young age?
Why does Miller let us know Willy’s death is coming in the title of the play?
Category Two: Symbolism/Theme/Motif
Discuss the symbolism of the heavy sample cases and the stockings.
How does the motif of working with one’s hands fit into the play?
What is a theme of this play? (put in a sentence)
Category Three: Other Major Characters:
Does Linda help or hinder Willy?
Who suffers most from Willy’s delusions?
To what is Biff referring when he says to Willy, "will you let me out of it," while trying to tell Willy about his meeting with Bill Oliver? (p. 85)
What does Charley mean when he says, "No man only needs a little salary"? (p. 110)
Why does Happy insist that Willy "had a good dream"? (p. 111)
More on the next page
Category Four: Miscellany
Does Biff ’s antagonism cause Willy’s failure or merely intensify the failure he already experiences?
How does what Biff learn in Boston influence his life? Why can’t Biff be what his father wants him to be? Why does Biff steal things?
Does Biff use Willy’s behavior as an excuse for his own waywardness? What does he say to Willy about the way he wants to live and what Willy expects of him?
What would you say are the false values which the play reveals? What are the true values which the play upholds?
Daniel E. Schneider, in “Play of Dreams,”* states that the play is really about a man and his sons. Do you agree that theprimary theme of Death of a Salesman is the conflict between father and son and between first-born and second-born sons?
Some reviewers believe that the play is a criticism of capitalism and the American way of life. Discuss your reasons for agreeing or disagreeing with them. What are the social implications of the play?