 Aim: How can we become familiar with Arthur Miller to better understand his motivation behind writing Death of a Salesman?  Do Now:  Pass up HW (imagist poem stapled to rubric and drafts)

 Read some biographical information about Arthur Miller.  Steps:  1: Read article with group  2: Answer questions in your notebook. Everyone should have the answers written down in notebook.  3: Present findings to the class.  Where does he get his inspiration?  What are the subjects of his other writings? What does he like to write about?  What have critics said about his importance in modern drama?  In what ways are his experiences reflected in his writings?  Are there any reoccurring themes in his works? What does Miller say “tragedy really is”?  You will share your information with the class.

 Aim: How has the phrase “The American Dream” changed over time and is it truly attainable?  Do Now: Create a chart like the one below. What are some traits/elements of the American dream during each century below? 1700s1800s1900s2000s EX: EqualityExpansion of land Comfortable lifestyle Wealthy

 What is the American Dream? Who created this phrase?

 James Truslow Adams, in his book The Epic of America, which was written in 1931, stated that the American dream is "that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement. It is a difficult dream for the European upper classes to interpret adequately, and too many of us ourselves have grown weary and mistrustful of it. It is not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position." (p )

 The authors of the United States’ Declaration of Independence held certain truths to be self-evident: that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness." Might this sentiment be considered the foundation of the American Dream?

 But the concept of the American dream, as Adams defined it, actually existed long before him. In 1630, John Winthrop gave his "city upon a hill" sermon to his fellow Puritan colonists as they sailed to Massachusetts in Although Winthrop never used the word "dream," he eloquently detailed his vision of a society in which everyone would have a chance to prosper, as long as they all worked together and followed Biblical teachings [source: Winthrop]. Gradually, that dream of opportunity evolved in colonists' minds into a God-given right. In the Declaration of Independence in 1776, Thomas Jefferson asserted that everyone in America -- at least, those who weren't enslaved by the colonists -- was entitled to "life, liberty and pursuit of happiness"Winthrop

 Paragraph Format  Is the American Dream idealistic or realistic? In other words, is the American Dream truly attainable or is it just a theory? If yes, is it attainable for all Americans? Explain. Sample Structure Thesis Elaboration Evidence Explanation/Connection of to thesis Sum up Paragraph

 Read “I hear American Singing” and “I, too, Sing America” annotate SOAPS for each poem Speaker Occasion Audience Purpose Subjects

 Aim: In what ways is the American Dream discussed differently throughout literature during different literary eras?  Do Now: How is this painting depicting America?

 Is the American Dream attainable for all?

 Read “I hear America Singing” and “I, too” then create SOAPS for each poem.  Speaker  Occasion  Audience  Purpose  Subjects

 Compare the similarities and difference between both poems.

 What is the tone for both poems?  In what ways do both authors use metaphors to send a message?

What is Whitman saying about America in his poem “I Hear America Singing”? What is Hughes saying about America in his poem “I, too”?

 Aim: How can we interpret stage directions for purpose?  Do Now: What is a salesman associated with?

The first American tragedy  Premiered in1949  Post-WWII Economy  Excess goods and productions from the war (Consumerism).  Bigger businesses are starting to appear.  Capitalism  Great Depression

 an instruction written into the script of a play, indicating stage actions, movements of performers, or production requirements.

 Characterization (Stage Directions & Dialogue)  Setting (Stage Directions)  Dialogue  Plot  Movement (Stage Directions)  Music  Spectacle (Costumes, Props, etc.

 Sentences due tomorrow!

 Aim: How can we begin to familiarize ourselves with the characters of Death of a Salesman through analysis of the dialogue?  Do Now: Choose one of the following:  A) Write about a time you got into an argument with your parent(s). What happened? What was your side of the argument? What was theirs?  B) Who is usually right in an argument—the child or parent? Explain.

 A spirit who chooses to take the shape of a human form is an example of a spirit incarnate.  A person who is the perfect example of a unrestrained greed is an example of greed incarnate.

Willy LomanLinda LomanBiff LomanHappy Loman Characterization Background info Action

You will be assigned a quote from below. In groups of four, write the quote on a sentence strip. Then do the following. A) What does this quote mean? B) What is the significance/importance behind this quote? In other words, what is the author criticizing? C) What does this quote say about the character who said it? D) Do you agree or disagree and explain why.  1) Willy Loman: Not finding yourself at the age of thirty-four is a disgrace (p.16)  2) Willy Loman: Work a lifetime to pay off a house. You finally own it, and there’s nobody to live in it (p. 15)  3) Willy Loman: There’s more people! That’s what’s ruining this country! Population is getting out of control. The competition is maddening. (17)  4) Willy Loman: Certain men just don’t get started till later in life (18)  5) Willy Loman: Biff Loman is lost. In the greatest country in the world a young man with such—personal attractiveness, gets lost. And such a hard worker (16)