Homework

1. Homework • In 5-10 sentences, TO BE HANDED IN, write a reflection on the late 1940s-1950s. Is this a time you would want to live? Why or why not? Think of what you know about this time period. • You MUST use MLA headings: Name Ms. Koblosh English 10 Date

2. Arthur Miller • Born in 1915 in New York City • Wrote other famous plays such as The Crucible and All My Sons. • Created characters that deals with power conflicts, personal and social responsibility. • Also writes characters who deal with both fears of guilt and hope. • All his stories have a tragic hero: man of greatness destined to fall or suffer.

4. Setting • Takes place in the late 1940s in Brooklyn. • Flashbacks do occur back to the 1930s in the Northeast, especially Boston, Mass.

5. Characters from Death of a Salesman • Willy Loman: protagonist/antagonist and main character. Tries to reach for the American dream, however, fails to live up to expectations. • Biff Loman: protagonist/antagonist. “All-American boy,” who fails out of high school, eventually turning into a kleptomaniac. Does not live up to Willy’s expectations.

6. Characters from Death of a Salesman • Linda Loman: faithful wife to Willy. Tries to see the brighter sides of life, however, most realistic in the family. • Happy Loman: youngest son and most successful in the family. Productive in both the business and “relationship” department.

7. Themes • The American Dream: the wanting of money and power. • Reality and Illusion: Willy feels that things like money are attainable, but the truth is he is destined for failure. • Betrayal: Willy vs. Biff & Willy vs. Linda, Biff does not want Willy’s life, based on prior events that occurred. • Abandonment: inability for others to stay in their lives, which reflects their futures.

8. New Characters • Howard Wagner – founder of the company that Willy works for. • Son of founder does not appreciate Willy’s history of service, and betrays him due to his success. • Charley – neighbor to Willy and works in a more successful company. • Bernard – Charley’s son who Willy feels his hard working attitude will get him no where without charisma.

9. Important Facts (up to 37) • Willy lies to his sons about his fortunes – he turns out he is less successful than he says. • Biff is favored over Happy – however, over time, Happy shows the success that Biff once had. • In his past, Willy lied to Linda about his success, stating even though they must fix many things in their house, he can afford it.

10. Themes • American Dream – Willy version of his Dream shows that any man who is manly, good looking, charismatic and well-liked deserves success and will naturally achieve it.

11. DO NOW & HOMEWORK • What is the name of Willy’s brother? What is the purpose of his appearance? HOMEWORK: Essays due tomorrow on family life between modern families & the Lomans.

12. New Characters • Ben – Willy’s brother. Ben died in Africa and left Willy when he was four years old to find their father who abandoned them to go to Alaska. • Ben mocks Willy, just as Willy mocked Charley. • Characterized as a cruel, nasty man. • Willy passes on these traits to his sons.

13. The American Dream • Is the ability to start from nothing and make a fortune. • Ben’s character signifies that a few people can achieve the “rags to riches” version of the American Dream. • Miller’s play suggests that one must be ruthless (or at least a bit wild) in order to achieve it.

14. Characterization • Physical appearance • Their actions • Events that affect their actions • Internal conflicts • External conflicts