Curriculum / ELA / 7th Grade / Unit 14: Death of a Salesman (2020) / Lesson 2
ELA
Unit 14
7th Grade
Lesson 2 of 14
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Analyze the purpose of the stage directions.
Book: Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller pp. 11 – 23
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Arthur Miller does not include a narrator in Death of a Salesman. How do the stage directions serve the same purpose in conveying details about the characters? Make sure to provide one or two details in your answer.
What to look for in student response:
The stage directions include details about each character when they are introduced. For example, on p. 12 when the stage directions introduce Willy with “from the right, Willy Loman, the Salesman, enters carrying two large sample cases...He is past sixty years of age.” In this section alone, we as the reader know that Willy is a salesman and that he is fairly aged, old enough to be a grandfather. The stage directions reveal character tone, which helps us characterize the characters. We start to question his mental stability based on his contradictions.
Questions about the text that will help guide the students understanding
Suggestions for teachers to help them teach this lesson
RL.7.5 — Analyze how a drama's or poem's form or structure (e.g., soliloquy, sonnet) contributes to its meaning.
RL.7.6 — Analyze how an author develops and contrasts the points of view of different characters or narrators in a text.
Lesson 1
Lesson 3
Explain Arthur Miller’s motive for writing Death of a Salesman, based on his biography.
RI.7.2
RL.7.5 RL.7.6
Explain Miller’s repeated symbolism of nature in Act I.
RL.7.4
Analyze how Miller uses juxtaposition of the stockings to symbolize his inability to provide for his family.
RL.7.4 RL.7.5
Analyze how Linda’s dialogue contributes to the playwright’s critique of American culture (of capitalism).
RL.7.5
Analyze how Biff and Happy’s dialogue contributes to the mood.
Explain how Arthur Miller’s belief about American culture (capitalism) seeps into this scene between worker and boss.
RL.7.2 RL.7.4
Explain how the author uses monologue to develop the theme of popularity and reputation.
RL.7.2 RL.7.5
Explain how Miller juxtaposes Charley and Willy in order to reveal Willy’s tendency for self-destruction and false pride.
RL.7.3
Analyze how self-deception functions as a coping mechanism for Willy Loman.
Explain Willy’s motivation to commit suicide.
Analyze how Willy’s self-deception leads to his suicide.
Discussion
Debate whether or not Willy’s suicide resolved any of his problems.
SL.7.1
Explain how Willy Loman can be defined as a tragic hero.
W.7.2
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