thesis

Linda Loman is a woman who idolizes and admires her husband more than anything and anyone else in her life. Although Willy is blind to how much she really loves him, she is still willing to suffer through his disrespect and defend him from everyone but himself.

Thesis

The play’s many references to nature, including the outdoors, the seeds, and the garden, illustrate the contrasting values and motivations that Willy and Biff embrace.

Thesis

Because of his inability to self analyze, and his eagerness to be lifted out of the shadow of his older brother, Happy Loman is a version of his father, grasping parental success but never realizing the fault in his world view.

Thesis

For my paper I want to focus on the symbolism of nature and seeds in the story and how Miller uses them to further clarify Willy as a character so I think my thesis statement is going to go something along the lines of this...

Miller mentions nature, and more specifically seeds, throughout the book and through this reveals certain characteristics of Willy that helps further progress the story.

DOAS Thesis

Hi, folks --

Post your thesis as a NEW POST. Make sure this is done by this evening!

Tragedy and the Common Man

Discuss the ways in which you see Death of a Salesman as a "Tragedy of the Common Man." Provide evidence from Miller's article and the play itself. If you disagree, provide evidence that argues against Willy as a tragic hero. Your post should reference both the play and the article. Post -- as a developed comment-- before class on Thursday. (After class Thursday, but before class Friday, you'll need to post your analytical thesis.)

Contridictory Dreams

Do you think there is a contradiction with the "American Dream" that Willy upholds (salesman, a nice house, successful children) and the more natural, manly success of Ben? Do you think that Miller intended this foil between socially normal success and more the more adventurous self-reliance that Ben embodies?

Was there a point or significance to the garden at the end of the play? Was there a reference to it somewhere in the beginning?

Why did Miller choose flute music? It seems ironic that a light, almost wispy sound would represent Willy's looming failure.

Why do you think Arthur Miller decided on the title "Death of a Salesman"instead of something different like "Willy the Salesman?"

In the play, when the author describes the setting, he sometimes mentions an apron, is this a term for theatre or what is he referring to?

Why doesn't anyone show up at Willy's funeral? Why did the author decide to do this when being "well-liked" was all Willy ever really wanted to acheive in his life?

What is the significance for Ben in this story? And why does Willy continuously talk to himself?

On pages 60-61, Willy and Biff argue about whistling. Since whistling is a form of music, is it in any way related to the flute motif in the story, or is whistling a significance of some sort on its own?

The word "unstable," should be between obvious and state. Sorry.

Why do you think Charley helps Willy even through Willy's obvious state? Charley gives Willy money to pay off his debts even though Willy constantly taunts him. And why won't Willy just accept Charley's job oppurtunity? Is it all jealousy or is there more?

Toward the end of the play, when Biff cries, is he really crying because he loved his father, like his father thinks, or is he is crying because of something else? Also, why do you think Linda can't cry at the funeral? And did Linda ever learn that Willy cheated on her?

Willy's Death

Does Willy kill himself to help his son Biff? He says something about 20,000 dollars, and is he using his insurance to give Biff the American Dream?

I'm kind of confused about the theme of theft. What does this represent? Is it the fact that Biff always wants to succeed quickly, as a result of what Willy has taught him?

Also, I don't really understand what happens at the end of the play when Biff starts crying. Is Biff blaming himself for eveything that's happened? Does he really plan to move away? Why is Willy happy when he sees Biff crying? Does he mistake the tears for physical proof that he is liked?

What does Willy seem to primarily want (like in a life-goal sense)? He seems to have the dreams of a salesman, like the 84-year-old Dave Singleman guy he mentions, but he is apparently happy when he makes things and builds things (like Biff mentions at the end). Which one is it?

I didn't really understand certain phrases that they used like...

"dime a dozen" on page 132
"cover" page 60
"broke the mold" page 66
"lick the world" page 64
"counting your chickens" page 63

(I have the book from the school book fair.)

I know that Linda adores Willy, and respects him so much, but why does she? This question popped into my mind after the four of Lomans are discussing Biff going to talk to Oliver, and the whole time Linda is just as excited as the rest of them and Willy keeps telling her to shut up. Linda just takes it, and the respect that I had for her in the first act kinda dwindled. Willy was never successful or all that amazing, so why then does she worship Willy so much?


ALSO:

Look what i found on PostSecret!

I don't completely understand Happy... Why is he so ignored all the time, is he a success or a failure, and why does he lie so much? why can't he face the facts? Why does no one seem to like or care about him?

I still don't totally understand the flute. It seems like it just keeps popping up at random times. Does anyone think they know the significance?

Can anyone explain the images/theme of nature that Mrs. Gerber wanted us to identify? Is Willy's desperate attempt to plant seeds one example?

On page 59 (towards the bottom of the page), I don't understand what Willy tried to do with the fuse box and gas pipe.

Any ideas?

Death of a Salesman Dialogue

Take time to discuss questions about your reading of Death of a Salesman. You need to post at least one question as a NEW post and respond (as a comment) at least twice. (You can answer two questions or take part in a dialogue exchange on one question.) Take a look at this twice over the weekend --once Fri/Sat, once Sun/Mon. You CAN ask/answer questions before you finish the play, or you can wait until you're done.

Enjoy your long weekend!