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Death of A Salesman Brainstorming

This document provides prompts for brainstorming key concepts in Death of a Salesman. It includes ideas about the title representing the death of the salesman or the tragedy that caused his death. It also lists tragic flaws for the main characters like Willy's hallucinations and being stuck in the past. Ben's purpose as Willy's icon of success is discussed. Both Willy and Biff could be considered the protagonist with each other as antagonists. The use of non-realism through Willy's illusions advances the plot by showing his mental decline leading to his death. Linda is extremely loyal to Willy despite his own disloyalty in the marriage.

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120 views3 pages

Death of A Salesman Brainstorming

This document provides prompts for brainstorming key concepts in Death of a Salesman. It includes ideas about the title representing the death of the salesman or the tragedy that caused his death. It also lists tragic flaws for the main characters like Willy's hallucinations and being stuck in the past. Ben's purpose as Willy's icon of success is discussed. Both Willy and Biff could be considered the protagonist with each other as antagonists. The use of non-realism through Willy's illusions advances the plot by showing his mental decline leading to his death. Linda is extremely loyal to Willy despite his own disloyalty in the marriage.

Uploaded by

Salt watch
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as RTF, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Death of a Salesman Brainstorming

After finishing your reading of Death of a Salesman, brainstorm your ideas about the key
concepts of the drama. Record as many ideas as possible.

1. 1. Title Death of a Salesman (Consider at least two different meanings)


2. -A story of a salesman life leading to his death
3. -A tragedy that caused a salesman to die

1. 2. Tragic Flaws (Consider at least three or four for each character.)

• • Willy
• -Hallucinations
• -Stuck in the past
• -Bitter and negative toward his son Biff
• -Unfaithful to his marriage

• • Biff
• -Lost
• -Doesn’t have a purpose in life
• -Unstudious

• • Happy
• -Unmotivated
• -No real goals
• -Wants to follow in his fathers footsteps

• • Linda
• -Weak
• -Sticks up for Willy (even if he’s in the wrong)
• -Does not blame Willy for anything

1. 3. Ben’s Purpose in the Drama (Consider how his appearances give meaning to the drama
as a foil* to Willy.)
2.
3. Ben is Willy’s deceased brother who accomplished a great deal in his lifetime. He is Willy’s
icon of success. He is always in Willy’s mind and Willy teaches his sons to be like Ben.

1. 4. Ideas supporting Willy as Protagonist (Who is antagonist for him?)

Willy can be considered the protagonist because he is the main character of the story and a
decent person. He was kind to his sons and provided them with a good upbringing and
through time his mental health has started to decay. Biff would be the antagonist for Willy
because his failures stress his father out which accelerates the decline of Willy’s mental
state.

1. 5. Ideas supporting Biff as Protagonist (Who is antagonist for him?)


2.
3. Biff could be considered the protagonist because he had his life on track but his father’s affair
caused him to give up on his future. Willy is the protagonist for Biff because he threw him
off the path of success and is mostly to blame for the fact Biff gave up hope which caused
him to lose a scholarship.

1. 6. Use of Non-realism (How does it advance the plot and create meaning?)

A large part of the story is focused on Willy and his family who live a real life and face
problems. However the use of non-realism is prevalent whenever Willy has an illusion. This
advances the plot because it shows his decline to “insanity” and ultimately leads to his death.
*Foil: A minor character set in contrast to the major character, thus illuminating some important
idea about the major character.

Linda vs Willy:

Linda is kind and extremely loyal to Willy. She will take his side on everything and defend him
even against her own sons. This is somewhat ironic because Willy hasn’t even been able to
remain loyal in their marriage and has had an affair while away on a sales trip.

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