Download Death Before

Death of a Salesman
Arthur Miller
Before:
You will read the play Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. However, as a
play is meant to be seen on stage, if you have opportunity to see it performed
live, do so! If not, we will have to make do with Creating Visual Images.
To help you to “see” the play, there is a basic set design provided. As well
as reading the play, you may want to find a copy of it as performed by
Dustin Hoffman to watch as a supplement to reading.
Also, to help you to “see” the characters and the connections between them,
there is provided a character web.
Act One: We will include reading the stage directions on page 1 and 2 in the
Before section as it is important to Create a Visual Image before beginning
to read the action of the play.
 Turn to the stage directions on page 1 and 2. Before any words are
said, the tone of a play is set by the visual created on stage as well as
the music. Since this is so important, we will take the time to
appreciate it!
 Use your reading strategies to help understand the importance of the
setting:
 Questioning the Text: Why is a melody played on a flute? Why is
this the first introduction to the play – even before the curtain rises?
 Continue questioning the text and using other appropriate Reading
Strategies while you read the stage directions (they are written in
italics).
 Make a special note of Willy’s entrance. Even though the door to his
house is stage left, he enters stage right. Why?
Continue on to see the
character web and set design.