1. Death of A Salesman Act I- Part II

2. Journal 2
How have your parents/ family helped to shape the person that you are and the person that you ultimately want to be?

3. Journal 3
List five items that you believe to be your strongest abilities.
List five items that seem to be your weakest abilities.
Do you believe your strengths outweigh your weaknesses? Why?

4. Literature Term Focuses
Irony- the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning. Three types- Situational, Dramatic, and Verbal
Foreshadowing- A writers use of hints or clues to indicate events that will occur later in the play. This often creates suspense.
Tone- The attitude an author takes towards a subject.
Conflict- The struggle between two opposing forces. Two Types- Internal and external.
Tragic Hero- a great or virtuous character in a dramatic tragedy who is destined for downfall, suffering, or defeat
Tragic Flaw- the character defect that causes the downfall

5. Literature Term Examples
You will be responsible for finding five examples of your literature terms in the next section (28-51).
Make sure and use a variety of your literature terms.

6. Characters in Act I – Part II
Willy- Protagonist
Linda- Wife
Happy- Youngest Son
Biff- Oldest Son
Ben- Willy’s rich older brother.
Charley- Willy’s next door neighbor that loves him dearly.

7. Characterization
Now that you have seen the characters deepen and develop over Act I – Part II, it’s time to make a few judgment's and discuss exactly who you think the character’s are.
Consider their physical appearance, actions, names, and speech. After contemplating all of the above write a five word sentence for each of the following characters: Biff, Happy, Willy, Linda, Ben, and Charley. Make sure you have no more than five words for each character. Choose wisely.

8. Theme- The American Dream
We have discussed that the American Dream that is represented in Death of A Salesman is not intended to mean the downfall of the American Dream, but rather an American Dream that Willy can’t seem to obtain or rather be satisfied with.
To Willy, the American Dream is the ability to become prosperous by mere charisma. Willy believes that personality, not hard work and innovation, is the key to success. Time and again, he wants to make sure his boys are well-liked and popular. Of course, Willy’s version of the American Dream never pans out for obvious reasons.
List three ways in which Willy’s American Dream has not panned out so far. Feel free to include Happy and Biff in your list.
Do you believe that in today’s society parents would agree with Willy’s idea of the American Dream for their children?

9. Theme- Nostalgia/ Regret
Willy seems to constantly have a wistful desire to return in thought or in fact to a former time in his life, he seems to have a sentimental yearning for the happiness of a former place or time (mainly his son, Biff’s, youth). Why do you think that is?
While Willy wants to return in thought to a happier time it also seems to bring unbearable pain to him. Why is Willy constantly stuck between nostalgia and regret?

10. Act I – Part II Questions
Willy seems to have a very strained relationship with his brother Ben. He seems to want to make Ben happy at all costs, yet he has a tinge of jealousy. Explain Ben and Willy’s relationship and are there any similarities to Biff and Happy’s relationship?
Willy’s mentions that he is temporary about himself because he never knew his father. How do you think this has affected his ability to be a father to Biff and Happy? Explain.
What kind of men do you think Ben wants Willy to raise? Why? Is Willy on track for accomplishing that?

11. Act I- Part II Questions
Biff seems to know something about Willy that no one else does. What can you speculate that it is? How does this affect Biff’s opinion about Willy?
Linda makes a statement that Willy’s life is in Biff’s hands… do you believe this to be a true and fair statement?
Do you believe that Willy feels trapped by his dreams?

12. Reflection II
The American Dream, the idea of the happy ending, is an avoidance of responsibility and commitment ~ Jill Robinson.
Do you think that Willy Loman would agree with this quote? Why?