Reading Discussion 7: Death of a Salesman

Read and annotate Death of a Salesman; then, respond to the questions or instructions below and participate in the discussion:

INITIAL POST (due 10/17):

What makes Willy Loman a modern tragic hero? Analyze specific passages from the play (provide citations*). You’ll need to have studied and use the “Tragedy” lecture from this week’s module.

* For prose plays, like Death of a Salesman, use the page number followed by a semicolon and other identifying information (the act and speech numbers, in our case).

Length: One page (about 250 words)

Respond in a structured, focused response. This isn’t a free-write in which you just jot down thoughts. Write clear, grammatical sentences, in coherent paragraphs, and use an appropriate tone. Your response should show that you are familiar with the texts. Do not offer a long summary or background information unless it is related to the question. 

RESPONSE POST (due 10/18):

Respond to at least one classmate’s post with a thoughtful comment. You are not limited to praise or agreement. If something needs to be pointed out, do it in a polite but clear way. Avoid irrelevant comments; focus on the texts and the classmate’s ideas. Avoid vague comments like “I agree” or “Good work.”

Note: Avoid posting blank or “test” posts. If you are unclear about the instructions or need help, please contact me before posting.