Death of a Salesman pg. 1 - 17

‘…we see a solid vault of apartment houses around the small, fragile-seeming home.’

• Introduces the idea of the house as family and dominated by the surrounding apartment blocks.

• Introduces the theme of the fragility of dreams

• Provides a juxtaposition to the rural spaces referred to in the opening line of the stage directions.

• Tells us that the family is wealthy.

"A melody is heard, played upon a flute. It is small and fine, telling of grass and trees and the horizon."

What examples of stagecraft are present here?

• Stagecraft: Melody = sound

• Stagecraft: flute = sound

• Stagecraft: horizon = sound

• Stagecraft: stage directions

Why did Willy come home instead of going to New England?

• He got a call from his wife.

• He kept running off the road.

• He was afraid he would run out of money.

• He'd been promised a place in the home office.

What had become too much for Willy?

• deciding what to do with his investments.

• traveling and driving all week.

• the politics of being in the  New York home office.

• supporting Happy and his wife.

What is the setting of Death of a Salesman?

• Brooklyn, NY, late 1940s

• Newark, NJ, early 1940s

• Yonkers, NY, early 1940s

• Queens, NY, late 1940s

Arthur Miller was usually inspired to write his plays by observing...

• people in the park

• issues in American society

• art

• nature

Willy is best described as...

• old and tired

• old but energetic

• young and lazy

• old, tired, and potentially out of touch with reality.

What "strange thoughts" is Willy probably struggling with? (Enter a complete thought)

Name one reason Linda gives Willy as to why he's possibly experiencing issues with his driving. (Enter a complete thought)

What did Willy ask Biff that upset him? (Enter a complete thought)