1. Suicide Attempts
Pages 40—49.

2. Objective:
be able to perceive developments in characters throughout the play
explore the interactions between characters

3. Comprehension How did Willy initially try to commit suicide?
What else has he tried to do?
How does Linda try to cover up her discovery?
What does Willy overhear Biff saying on p.43? How does he react?
Why is Biff going to visit Bill Oliver?

4. Comprehension
How does Happy’s suggestion reflect the ideals of the American Dream?
How does Willy’s mood change after this conversation?
List all the advice Willy gives Biff regarding his meeting with Bill Oliver on p
What does Biff do at the end of the Act?

5. Close Analysis
Re-read from Willy, dear, he just decided…(p.44) to Will you stop! (p.45)
Annotate the extract closely, paying particular attention to:
Character relationships
Miller’s language
Miller’s stage directions
Tension created

6. Linda Add detailed notes to your mind map of Linda. Use quotations.
Comment on the way that Willy treats her and how she deals with it.
Linda

7. Close Analysis
Re-read from Yeah, sing to me. (p.49) to the end of Act 1
Annotate the scene, paying close attention to:
Character relationships
Language and stage directions
Tension

8. Extended Writing
You are going to write an essay answering the question: How does Miller create dramatic tension in Act 1 of ‘Death of a Salesman’?
Spend 10 minutes on gathering your ideas—use a spider diagram to help you arrange your thoughts.
You must plan your answer logically and use PEEL throughout.

9. Dramatic Tension occurs when…
There is a conflict between characters
When characters are frustrated
When the audience or certain characters know information that others don’t know (Dramatic Irony)
When withheld information is hinted at

10. Dramatic Tension is created by…
Characters getting angry with each other: often denoted by short sentences, exclamation marks and strong language
Stage directions giving extra information
Conversations between characters about other characters/situations
Secrets being unveiled

11. Before you write.
Find 5 or 6 points that you can make in response to the question
Check that you have at least one suitable (and short) quotation for each point; do not use the same quotation for two points
List the most logical order to present your points, it does not necessarily have to be a chronological order although this can sometimes be an effective structure.
Link your thoughts together by using connectives and clear topic sentences at the start of each paragraph