Death of a Salesman Notes

For a good study guide and notes: Go to this link for the Death of a Salesman Study Guide. Copy the notes for Setting-Conflict.

First, we will copy the character map (I will draw it on the board)
Second, we will begin reading pages 11-19
Third, write a brief response (turn in on your way out) to the following question:

What are your first impressions of Willy Loman? Characterize him from what you have seen so far.  Use adjectives whenever possible and support with evidence from today's reading.

Today's Work: Due by the end of class today

Name: ___________________________________________

Death of a Salesman Anticipation Guide

• Read each statement. If you agree with the statement place an A in the first column or a D for disagree if you do not agree with the statement.
• Before you meet in your group write 1-2 sentences why you agree or disagree.
• Next you will meet with a partner and discuss your answers.
• Record your answers in the second column after your discussions. Has your point of view changed after listening to someone else? 
• Choose two statements for which you changed your point of view. At the bottom of this guide, explain what made you change your thoughts.  (note that another option is offered if you did not)

	Before	After
Career success is linked to happiness and self-worth.
Job satisfaction is important to family relationships.
Families should be involved in dealing with the disappointments and failures of a family member.
The failures of a family member affect everyone in the family.
The title Death of a Salesman suggests the drama is a tragedy.
Parents tend to pass the types of problems they have on to their children.
Family members often assist family members in their dysfunction.
Having an illusion of yourself that doesn’t match others’ perceptions is destructive.
Being grounded in reality is destructive.
Families create self-perpetuating myths about the family as a whole.
Children should try to make their parents happy.
A personal choice a parent makes can change a child’s life forever.
Having a misconception of yourself is acceptable, as long as one’s personal actions are not dishonest or illegal.
The American Dream still is relevant today.
The American Dream is similar to what it was many years ago.
The American Dream is attainable for everyone.
One member of a family is seen as a success or failure based on the accomplishments of another family member.
Having the luxuries of modern society makes people happy.
Owing nothing, having everything paid off, makes people happy.

Remember to choose two statements to explain your change of mind or the different perspective the group offered.  If you don’t change your mind explain why their arguments were sufficient.

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2.

Death of a Salesman---our first play

Today we will:
* First we will watch this video on the author (about 15 min.) and take notes.
*Next, we will read the article on the author Arthur Miller and answer the following questions (please restate/answer/cite/explain)
*Also, please highlight/underline where you found your answer in the text
*Staple the handout to your answers and turn in the bin before you leave today
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1. How did Arthur Miller's early life influence many of his plays?
2. Describe Miller's young-adult life.
3. Give 2 examples of plays by Miller and how they were received by audiences.
4. How was the play Death of a Salesman different from Millers' previous plays?
5. Explain Miller's involvement with "congressional investigations".
6. Describe the events of Miller's "turbulent" personal life.
7. List some of the awards that Miller received for his works.
8. State at least 4 facts your learned about Arthur Miller in the video that were not in the article.

Today we will: Go over a student sample of a part 3 and try to write a new one on the same topic

student samples (pages 10-11)

Topic: click here (page 12)

Notes for Question 3

REHUGO Notes: click here

"Reality Check"---Beginning of Death of a Salesman

In the play, the main character Willy Loman has been living in a sort of dream world where he is living the dream he wants. In his mind he is a very important salesman and his sons are destined for greatness; he refuses to accept the truth of the situation. As the story progresses, his son Biff gradually realizes that his ideas about the world and himself instilled in him by his father are false/untrue and has a sort of "reality check" when he meets with Bill Oliver.

(you only need to copy the question itself)
So my question for you today is this--is it better to live in a world of "fantasy" if it is making you happy, or to see things exactly as they are and accept the truth no matter how sad or troublesome? 

The 2 stories we will watch from the show "This American Life" portray 2 sets of people who are refusing to accept the truth. Do you think they are better or worse off because of this? Why do they not want to see the truth? In the end, do you think they are beginning to have a "reality check" where they discover living in the real-world is better than living in a fantasy?

video link

Notes on the timed-writing assignment

**This will be scored using the rubric I gave you (green sheet 1-9)