Death of a Salesman By Arthur Miller 02/28/13 Dr. Carbonara

Objectives  SWBAT identify components of the American Dream  SWBAT summarize prominent characters and themes in Death of a Salesman  SWBAT analyze Willy’s pursuit of the American Dream in Death of a Salesman

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The American Dream  National ethos of the United States  Opportunity for prosperity and success  Upward social mobility achieved through hard work

The American Dream “Life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement regardless of social class or circumstances of birth.” - James Truslow Adams (1931)

American Dream – The Four Dreams of Consumerism  “ Dream of Abundance”  “Dream of a Democracy of Goods”  “Dream of Freedom of Choice”  “Dream of Novelty”

The American Dream in the 1950s  After World War II, Americans were able to optimistically pursue the American Dream  Housing-spree when soldiers returned  Mass produced “cookie-cutter” houses  Baby boom  4 million babies born a year starting in 1954

Question  What was the catalyst for pursuing the American Dream in the 1950s? A) Stock Market Success Stock Market Success B) World War II World War II C) Increase in International Trade Increase in International Trade

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Death of a Salesman Characters  Willy  Unstable salesman, who at 63, is being passed over for younger and more effective salesmen  Memories of the past interrupt his present  Believes hard work will guarantee success  Kills himself when he cannot live up to his own expectations

Death of a Salesman Characters  Linda  Willy’s wife  Passively supports her husband’s dream  Knows that he is failing  First recognizes Willy’s thoughts of suicide and begs her sons to ‘make their dad proud’

Death of a Salesman Characters  Biff  Oldest son  Star athlete in high school, but cannot fulfill his father’s dreams for him  Does not want to be a salesman; wants to farm out West  Abandons Willy after his dad refuses to see the truth

Death of a Salesman Characters  Happy  Younger brother  Constantly competing for his father’s attention in his youth  Womanizer  Just as apt as Willy to tell (and believe) lies

Themes of Death of a Salesman  The American Dream  Willy believes that being “well-liked” will lead to success  Emphasizes appearance and personality  He’s really selling himself and not the product

Themes of Death of a Salesman  Abandonment  Willy’s life is one abandonment after another, and his greatest fear is that his family will abandon him if he fails  Kills himself rather than see this happen

Themes of Death of a Salesman  Betrayal  Biff has betrayed his father’s ambitions for him  The company that Willy has dedicated himself to have abandoned him in favor of younger salesmen

Question  What does Biff want to do with his life? A) Be a salesman like his father Be a salesman like his father B) Live on a farm out West Live on a farm out West C) Teach at the local high school Teach at the local high school D) Be a football coach Be a football coach

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Questions  How is the theme of abandonment explored in Death of a Salesman? A) Willy is afraid his family, especially Biff, will abandon his dreams for them Willy is afraid his family, especially Biff, will abandon his dreams for them B) Biff abandons his brother, Happy Biff abandons his brother, Happy C) Linda abandons her family Linda abandons her family

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Important Passages  “He’s liked but he’s not well- liked.”  Willy to his sons  Selling himself more than the product  Success based on personality  Wants his sons to think highly of him

Important Passages  I don't say he's a great man. Willie Loman never made a lot of money. His name was never in the paper. He's not the finest character that ever lived. But he's a human being, and a terrible thing is happening to him. “  Linda  All men deserve respect  Humans are not disposable

Important Passages  Biff: Pop! I'm a dime a dozen, and so are you! Willy: I am not a dime a dozen! I am Willy Loman, and you are Biff Loman!  Delusion  Self-worth as ‘being better’ than the next guy

Important Passages  "I'm gonna show you and everybody else that Willy Loman did not die in vain. He had a good dream. It's the only dream you can have - to come out number-one man. He fought it out here, and this is where I'm gonna win it for him.“  Happy, about his dad  Still an idealist  Irony – Willy did die in vain

Question  Willy is angered by his son’s accusation that he is “a dime a dozen” because: A) Willy must do better than the next guy Willy must do better than the next guy B) Willy needs to feel special Willy needs to feel special C) Willy does not want to admit his life is a lie Willy does not want to admit his life is a lie D) All of the above All of the above E) None of the above None of the above

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