Understanding Death of a Salesman: A Student Casebook to Issues, Sources, and Historical Documents (The Greenwood Press "Literature in Context" Series) [Hardcover]

Brenda Murphy (Author), Susan C. W. Abbotson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 28, 1999 | ISBN-10: 0313304025 | ISBN-13: 978-0313304026 | Edition: 1

This collection of social, cultural, and historical documents and popular materials, with linking explanations and commentary, will help the reader to study the play in the context of its time and cultural background. The collected materials are designed to work with the play to highlight inherent conflicts within American society which lie at the heart of Death of a Salesman, and to explore how the play affects and is affected by social mores and beliefs. Salesmanship and the changing face of business, along with perceptions of sports, gender, and families, are explored through selections drawn from a rich variety of sources that help provide forceful evidence of the play's influence. Documents include essays, articles, and fiction, which have created or explored the social expectations of a typical American family in the late 1940s; unusual selections such as a self-analysis chart, an obituary, and a diary, which help to trace the history of salesmanship from the nineteenth century to the present day; and advertisements, song lyrics, speeches, how-to books, and other readings that promote an interdisciplinary study of the play. More than 70 short primary documents illustrate the cultural, social and historical milieu of the time in which the play takes place. Topics explored under Cultural Myths and Values include the Protestant work ethic vs. myths of success, the myth of the golden West vs. urban myth, and the culture of youth vs. the culture of age. A chapter on economic forces provides materials on business vs. morality, humanity vs. technology, the haves and the have-nots, American business culture, the Depression, and how to be an effective salesman. A chapter on family and gender expectations includes documents on the roles of fathers and mothers, providers vs. cowboys or playboys, and homemakers vs. call girls. A chapter on sports and leisure features documents on amateur football and sports and American values. A final chapter examines the impact of Death of a Salesman on American culture. Each chapter is followed by study questions, topics for writing and discussion, and a list of suggested reading. This work is an ideal companion for interdisciplinary study of the play.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 10 Up-Murphy and Abbotson have pulled together an assortment of materials that would be otherwise hard to find and put them in an easy-to-use format. The material is organized to offer five views of the play and to analyze its impact on American culture in terms of "Cultural Myths and Values," "Economic Interests and Forces," "American Business Culture," "Family and Gender Expectations," and "Sports and American Life." Each chapter concludes with a list of "Study Questions"; "Topics for Written or Oral Exploration"; and "Suggested Readings," which are especially useful for teachers. Some of the material seems out of place (e.g., the eulogy for Jerry Rubin), and the analysis tends toward 1940s/1950s social-drama cliches and stereotypes. The discussion also seems stilted and makes the play seem a little dated. Still, this book will come in quite handy at report time.
Herman Sutter, Saint Pius X High School, Houston, TX
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

“Murphy and Abbotson have pulled together an assortment of materials that would otherwise be hard to find and put them in an easy-to-use format. [T]his book will come in quite handy at report time.”–School Library Journal

“...invaluable resources for new students of theatre, some of whom might well, in years to come, contribute to yet another reassessment of Miller and his work.”–Modern Drama

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 248 pages
• Publisher: Greenwood Press; 1 edition (February 28, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0313304025
• ISBN-13: 978-0313304026
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,165,707 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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