Category: CLOSED Hodge 3: Dramatic Action & Characters

Heres the finished unit delineation for Death of a Salesman.  I hope I upload it correctly!

Unit Delineation – DOAS

Perfect, thanks logan!

by Logan Turner

 After reading through what Erica has written about Dramatic Action, I actually don’t really have anything to add to it, so I’m going to go ahead and add MaryBeth’s ideas to my table, and post our final answers to the template soon, if that’s okay with you two…

The chart that Logan posted looks great, especially the lists of adjectives.

There are just a few things I might add.

1. I like that you noted Willy’s plain attire, and I think it is also important to note Willy’s age, despite his often childish irritability and attitude. Miller makes a point of saying that Willy is “dressed tiredly.” Also, Willy is reluctant to get new glasses, so he is wearing old ones. Willy is past sixty years of age and has been worn down over the years.

2. Happy is described as “well-built” and he is also ambitious, but living in delusion, just like his father. Happy is also self-centered, vain, and hedonistic.
Thanks!

-Mary Beth

by Mary Beth Gayle

Dramatic Action

A. The Inciting Incident

The inciting incident, Willy Loman’s return home, begins Death of a Salesman. This Monday evening when Willy returns, the audience sees him for the first time, exhausted, irritated, and appearing to be victim of a serious conflict.

Hey there! It’s Mary Beth here and I just wanted to write to let you know that I’m here working on things… I know it’s kinda terrible that I haven’t made all of my official posts yet, but I’ll have more up shortly—-

As for our “final post” or page that Walter was talking about, should we agree on this and post a specific page?  Are we supposed to edit the template, or compile everything into a page?  Is either one ok?

by Logan Turner

 Erica, that sounds good.  I just got home from work, so I’ll take a look at what you’ve written and see if I want to add or change anything, and post my own version of it soon, but at first glance, it looks good.

UNIT 1 — "It's all downhill from here"

• Willy returns home — Linda wakes
• Linda wakes — Linda questions
• Linda questions –Willy explains
• Willy explains – Linda suggests
• Linda suggests – Willy justifies
• Willy justifies – Linda concedes

 

Summary of Action – Willy returns home unexpectedly to a concerned wife, who makes suggestions regarding his current employment situation. 

 

Unit 2 – "PMS"

• Willy inquires (of sons) – Linda explicates
• Linda explicates – Willy bitches          
• Willy bitches – Linda defends
• Linda defends – Willy revokes
• Willy revokes – Linda dotes
• Linda dotes – Willy rants
• Willy rants – Sons awaken

Summary of Action — Willy changes the topic of conversation with Linda to his sons and their situations and they eventually are awakened by his ranting and raving. **please feel free to edit/comment/review.  The more brains the better.

Hey guys,

I’ve organized the bullet points of the dramatic action but I’m having a little trouble with the “imagistic descriptive phrase” for the units.  Also we only have to breakdown 2 units right?  Also, i’m a tad confused about where to break up my units.  Any suggestions??

Right now I have the first unit ending when his sons wake up after his return. and the 2nd when the household goes to sleep after Willy’s return. How does that sound?