Death of a Salesman Essay
Due Dates:
Mar 18, 7 pm: Outline
Mar 20, 7pm: Rough Draft
Mar 25, 7pm: Final Draft
You will write a literary response essay for Death of Salesman. Your essay should be an analysis of the text, supported by examples, not a summary of the play. Your essay should fully address the topic and make points about the play that respond to the question.
Consider the two quotes below:
BIFF: [At left, turning to her resentfully.] Miss Forsythe, you’ve just seen a prince
walk by. A fine, troubled prince. A hardworking, unappreciated prince. A pal,
you understand? A good companion. Always for his boys.
CHARLEY: [Stopping HAPPY’s movement and reply. To BIFF.] Nobody dast blame this
man. You don’t understand: Willy was a salesman. And for a salesman, there
is no rock bottom to the life. He don’t put a bolt to a nut, he don’t tell you
the law or give you medicine. He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on
a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an
earthquake. And then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and
you’re finished. Nobody dast blame
Essay Prompt: Death of a Salesman has been considered by some to be an American tragedy. Read the power point below. Aristotle's definition of tragedy could be summed up as "watching a great man fall." Does Death of a Salesmen fit the model of Classic Tragedy?
Questions to Consider:
Mar 18, 7 pm: Outline
Mar 20, 7pm: Rough Draft
Mar 25, 7pm: Final Draft
You will write a literary response essay for Death of Salesman. Your essay should be an analysis of the text, supported by examples, not a summary of the play. Your essay should fully address the topic and make points about the play that respond to the question.
Consider the two quotes below:
BIFF: [At left, turning to her resentfully.] Miss Forsythe, you’ve just seen a prince
walk by. A fine, troubled prince. A hardworking, unappreciated prince. A pal,
you understand? A good companion. Always for his boys.
CHARLEY: [Stopping HAPPY’s movement and reply. To BIFF.] Nobody dast blame this
man. You don’t understand: Willy was a salesman. And for a salesman, there
is no rock bottom to the life. He don’t put a bolt to a nut, he don’t tell you
the law or give you medicine. He’s a man way out there in the blue, riding on
a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back—that’s an
earthquake. And then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and
you’re finished. Nobody dast blame
Essay Prompt: Death of a Salesman has been considered by some to be an American tragedy. Read the power point below. Aristotle's definition of tragedy could be summed up as "watching a great man fall." Does Death of a Salesmen fit the model of Classic Tragedy?
Questions to Consider:
- Is there something noble, admirable or great about Willy Loman?
- Was he a doomed tragic hero from the beginning, or could he have been saved, and if so, what would have to have happened differently?
- What is Willy Loman’s fatal flaw? How does it contribute to his downfall?
- Does Willy have a moment of insight or come to a realization in the play that leads him to change?
- What does Willy's downfall say about the pursuit of the American Dream?
DofS Tragic Hero PPT
dofs_ppt_update_-_tragic_hero.ppt | |
File Size: | 496 kb |
File Type: | ppt |
definition_of_tragic_hero.pdf | |
File Size: | 80 kb |
File Type: |
The format of your essay:
- Your Name/Class (20th Century American Literature) in the top, right hand corner
- Margins: 1"
- Font: 12-point, Times New Roman
- 1.5 - Spaced
- Pages: At least 2, no more than 3
The organization of your essay should include:
- A title
- An introduction, thesis statement, body, and conclusion.
- Body paragraphs with topic sentences, examples from the text, and an explanation of the example
You will be graded on the following:
Ideas
- Do you clearly state the main idea of your essay (thesis)?
- Do you make points and support them with evidence from the text?
Organization
- Is your essay clearly organized, using an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
Mechanics
- Do you use proper English, spelling, and grammar?
Turn In - Dropbox
Go to dropitto.me/wardlandia
PW: SUIS
PW: SUIS