Death of a Salesman: What is success?

According to dictionary.com, success is defined as the attainment of ones goals. Throughout the play, the characters in Death of a Salesman have conflicting views on what success looks like and how to achieve it based upon their different ideas of what the American Dream is for them. These different ideas of success are what drive the plays conflict and reveal the problems with the American Dream. Answer the questions below to understand what each character views as success and what you view as success. List (at LEAST) 3 things that define each characters idea of success. POINT TO SPECIFIC EXAMPLES FROM THE TEXT! 1. What is Willys idea of success? Has he achieved it? Why or why not?

2. What is Lindas idea of success? Has she achieved it? Why or why not?

3. What is Biffs idea of success? Has he achieved it? Why or why not?

4. What is Happys idea of success? Has he achieved it? Why or why not?

5. What is one minor characters idea of success (i.e. Ben, Bernard, or Charley)? How do we know this?

6. Now, what is your idea of success? What are the main goals you wish to achieve? LIST TEN THINGS THAT YOU VIEW AS BEING SUCCESSFUL, THEN PUT THEM IN ORDER OF MOST IMPORTANT TO LEAST IMPORTANT.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Explain why you organized your list in this way. Why is number one, number one? Why is number ten the least important?