Blog Post #15 - "Grandpa" Willy

Assignment:  Write a monologue (at least 250 words--basically the equivalent of one typed, double-spaced, MLA format document) in which either Happy or Biff is describing what his father was like to one of their children who never met their grandfather.

Would Happy or Biff tell a child the truth? Or would they try to sugar coat the past? What actions would they emphasize? What actions would they de-emphasize?

If they recalled certain speech or mannerisms that characterized their father, what speech would they remember?   Remember that memorable tagline from Forest Gump? Remember how that character is forever saying, "Mama always said, 'Life is like a box of chocolates..." Does Willy have any taglines?

Be sure to write this so that it is appropriate for a child. You choose the age. Remember, you're role-playing. Feel free to key into whatever thoughts and emotions you think are in keeping with Biff or Happy. Finally, you might consider that, often, when we tell people about those who are no longer on the earth, we do so as a means of paying tribute or damning that person.

By virtue of his words and actions, Willy taught his sons lessons about what it means to be a husband and father. He taught them about money. He taught them lessons about love and marriage and parenting. He taught them about the value of work. He defined success and failure. He taught them about the American Dream. Were these positive or negative lessons? Which of these lessons might Biff or Happy pass down to a son? Or daughter?

Concentrate on tone. Try to express feelings appropriate to the data you've gathered about either Biff or Happy and their relationship with their father.  "Correctness" of this assignment depends upon your ability to refer to specifics in the play. However, you SHOULD NOT merely be providing plot summary. Instead, you're trying to internalize the events as they'd be seen through the eyes of this one character.

Blog Post #14 - Linda's Diary

Assignment:  Based on the events of Act I of Death of a Salesman, write two diary entries that Linda might have written. Each entry should be at least 100 words. Date one entry to indicate it was written in the past. Date the other entry to coincide with her current situation. What might this wife and mother have written? 

Be sure to write these two diary entries in first-person, using words like "I," "me," "my," and "mine." Basically, you're role-playing. What is happening with your life? What are you thinking about your husband, your sons, your finances, love, marriage, parenting, the American Dream, success, etc.? 

Concentrate on tone. Try to express feelings appropriate to the data you've gathered about this family in Act I.  "Correctness" of this assignment depends upon your ability to refer to specifics in the play. However, you SHOULD NOT merely be providing plot summary. Instead, you're trying to internalize the events as they'd be seen through the eyes of this one character.