English 190V
Santora
MASTER HAROLD AND THE BOYS / DEATH OF A SALESMAN
Master Harold
1) There are three plots in this play: Hally and Sam, Hally's home life, and Willie's plan to win the ballroom dancing contest. Show how these three plots are dramatically linked.
2) How is Sam a surrogate father for Hally?
3) Show how the setting of the play is really a classroom and not a tea room.
4) How many teacher/student relationships exist in this play?
5) Examine all the "men of magnitude" named by Sam and Hally for the irony and the symbolism inherent in their choices.
6) How does the story of the kite effectively underscore the themes of the play?
7) Condemn Hally for being a selfish, spoiled, snobish brat.
8) Defend Hally as a good boy hopelessly victimized by his racist culture.
9) Show how Hally's formal education has failed him.
10) What lessons in particular is Sam trying to teach Hally?
11) Show how the upcoming ballroom dance serves as the play's vision for hope and understanding.
12) How would you describe Hally's relationship with his mother and father?
13) Why are there so many references in this play to children and the stuff of childhood like comic books, sodas, kites, etc.
14) What is Hally's choice at the end? What choice does he appear to make?. No matter what his choice, what truths must Hally still learn?
15 What are the life-affirming forces in the play? What are the life denying ones?
Salesman
1) In your own words how would you define the "American Dream"? How does your definition relate to the play?
2) Compare and contrast any one of the following pairs in terms of their relationship to Willie: Biff-Hap, Ben-Linda, Biff-Bernard, Howard-Charlie, Linda and the Woman.
3) Describe Willie's admirable qualities. His less than admirable qualities.
4) In what ways is Willie self-deluded? How do his fantasies contrast with the realities of his actual existence?
5) Give several good reasons for Willie's failure to achieve success and forge an identity for himself.
6) Charlie succeeds and Willie doesn't? How is this possible when Charlie is the most unimaginative character in the play and has no formula for success?
7) Assess Willie as businessman, father, husband.
8) Why is "sports" the perfect metaphor for this play?
9) Provide a feminist reading of the play --- from Linda's perspective.
10) Comment on the ironies in one of the following scenes: The Woman in Boston, the victory banquet (restaurant scene), the seed-planting, the final confrontation of the family ("I am not a dime a dozen" speech), the Requiem (final) scene.
11) Why are we provided information about the Loman family history? Ben is present and we learn about Willie and Ben's father as he made flutes and travelled across America in a wagon, etc.
12) Provide several good reasons for Willie's decision to commit suicideat the end?
13) In what ways can Willie be considered a tragic figure? Does his life evoke pity? Disgust? Admiration? In your own words. How did you respond?
14) Compare and contrast the women in the play: Linda, the Women, the women in the restaurant, Hap's women.
15) Show how the play both criticizes and validates these traditional American values: rugged individualism, self-reliance, private enterprise, the dignity of hard work, the rages to riches mystique.
16) What does the play suggest about our American obsession with money and power?
17) Interpret Willie's most famous line: "liked, but not well liked."
18) Respond to the play's powerful symbols: Stockings, tape-recorder, trees and seeds, the jungle, travelling and the family car.
19) Willie has three powerful male mentors: his father, Ben, Dave Singleman. How does each affect Willie's life?
20) If Willie should not have been a salesman, what should he have done with his life? Consider the pros and cons of your choice for Willie.