Death Of A Salesman

Year 11 (English literature)

Coursework Piece

You will complete your third and final literature coursework on Death of a Salesman.

This will take the form of writing in role as Biff and expressing your understanding of the themes and events of the play through this style of writing.

You are going to imagine you are Biff!

You have just ran out…

You went to Boston to see your Dad and try and see whether he could help persuade Birnbaum, your teacher, to pass you because you flunked math.

What did you find when you got to his hotel room?

“You fake! You phoney little fake!”

What do you think of your father now?

What did he even give the woman that should have been your Mom’s?

What about Happy and Mom. How do you think they would feel if they found out about your father’s betrayal.

How is this different from how you felt about him before?

Who did he blame straight away, even though you knew it was your own fault?

How did he act towards you in the hotel room? “I gave you an order!” he said. Do you think he can bully you like he bullied your mother?

Biff…

All the things he tried to instill into you have turned out to be a sham. (the idea of being ‘well-liked’, the American dream). What do you think of them now?

Do you think that by trying to make you a success, he missed out on teaching you any moral values?

Explain the American dream. Is it right? Why do you not think your dad can help you now? How is this event going to affect your future? (going to

college)

Useful Words!

Devastated Sordid successfailure favourite

Deceit CheatLiar

Sham BetrayFalse

Destroyed DreamAdore

Worship FakeValues