English 102
Written Communication II
Fall 2000 
Professor David A. Salomon (davidsalomon@bhsu.edu) 
Essay #3

Choose ONE and only one of the following questions. Answer it in a complete and thoughtful
essay. Your essay should be a well-developed, clear, logical and complete idea developed from a
definite thesis statement. Use the text in all instances to support your answer, but do not merely
summarize plot. Refer to specifics in the text. Your paper should be 4-6 pages in length.

Essays must be either typed on a typewriter or printed from a computer. This paper is due on
Wednesday, November 30. Papers handed in late will receive a one grade deduction for each
day/class late. I will be happy to look at drafts. In fact, I encourage you to come in with a draft
and/or send e-mail with questions.

Read the questions carefully. Support all answers with examples from the text.

     1) Biff says about his father, "He had the wrong dreams." What was wrong about Willy's
     dreams? Was there a "right" dream for Willy? Was he ever a success? Discuss using
     specifics from the text, but not merely summarize plot.

     2) A tragedy is traditionally defined as a dramatic work in which the tragic hero has a tragic flaw
     which leads to his eventual downfall and death. According to this definition, is Death of a
     Salesman a tragedy? How? Is Willy Loman a tragic hero? If so, what is his tragic flaw?
     You might think about Shakespeare's tragedies as comparisons (Hamlet, Macbeth, etc.).
     Discuss using specifics from the text, but not merely summarize plot.

     3) Death of a Salesman is considered the quintessential American play (tragic or otherwise).
     What is so "American" about this play? The play was written in the late 1940s; do the
     play's themes still hold true today in they year 2000? Discuss using specifics from the
     text, but not merely summarize plot.