Death of a Salesman (2020)

Lesson 13
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ELA

Unit 10

7th Grade

Lesson 13 of 14

Objective


Debate whether or not Willy’s suicide resolved any of his problems.

Readings and Materials


  • Book: Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller  — Entire text

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Target Task


Discussion Prompt

Did Willy’s suicide resolve any problems in the novel? Explain your answer using one or two details from the text.

What to aim for in discussion:

Yes No
  • He took the emotional burden off his family. (p. 65 yelling at Linda, p. 57 lies to Linda, p. 60 Linda lives “day to day,” Biff knows about the affair)
  • This is an example of him admitting his own failure and finally coming to terms with reality. (bottom of p. 79)
  • He finally realizes his full financial capacity and therefore achieves the American Dream of providing for his family. (p. 98 you end up worth more dead than alive, p. 135 Ben says there are diamonds in the darkness)
  • He relieves himself of his guilt.
  • He denies Linda a debt-free husband. (p. 137)
  • He denies Biff a reconciled father. (p. 138)
  • He denies Happy a role model. (p. 138)
  • Suicide actually causes more disorder and fragmentation of his family.
  • The funeral revealed that he’d been lying to his family (why did nobody come?) and that he was actually disliked.

Key Questions


  • Make a list of the struggles that Willy faces throughout the novel. 
  • Make a list of problems that Willy causes for his family. 
  • How do the other characters react to these problems? 
  • Does he resolve these problems through his ultimate death?

Notes


Students may not understand life insurance. You can explain that life insurance is a system where you pay a little bit to a company every month or every few months. When you die, they pay back all that money PLUS extra to your family to help with funeral costs and living expenses.

Common Core Standards


  • SL.7.1 — Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 7 topics, texts, and issues, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.

Next

Explain how Willy Loman can be defined as a tragic hero.

Lesson 14
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