Death Of A Salesman

Worksheet Description

This worksheet invites students to engage critically with Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman,” contrasting its modern tragic hero with those of classical antiquity. The first question prompts a discussion about how Willy Loman’s common man status and the ordinariness of his aspirations and failures diverge from the noble lineage and grandiose scale typically associated with traditional tragic heroes. It encourages exploration of Miller’s argument that the average person’s struggles can be just as tragic as those of kings and queens.

The second question asks students to identify Willy Loman’s tragic flaw. This involves an examination of Willy’s character and the delusions that lead to his downfall, including his unwavering belief in the American Dream and his misplaced self-identity.

Lastly, the worksheet probes the critique embedded within the play, asking students to provide textual evidence. This section opens up a dialogue on the play’s commentary on societal expectations, the pitfalls of chasing the American Dream, and the psychological and social impacts of capitalism on the individual and family unit. Through these questions, students are led to consider “Death of a Salesman” not just as a narrative, but as a potent social commentary reflective of mid-20th-century American society.