Death of a Salesman

Willy admires Dave Singleman because he dies the noble death of a salesman. Is Willy’s death noble or ignoble? Why?

The word noble stems from the Latin nobilis, meaning “well-known.” Today, the term is used to mean “famous, exalted, or grand.” In contrast, ignoble may mean “not well-known.” Today, it also means “characterized by what is common or low.”

• What causes Willy’s death, both literally and psychologically? 
• How will Willy be remembered by each of the play’s characters? 
• Is a high funeral attendance a testament to one’s importance? Why or why not?
• What does the audience understand about the American Dream at the play’s end that Willy never does? 

Teaching Suggestion: Consider designating one place in the room for students who consider Willy’s death noble, another place for those who consider the character’s death ignoble, and a place in the middle for those who attach both qualities to the death. Encourage students to use their choices as a jumping-off place for discussion.

Differentiation Suggestion: Ask visual students to create word collages, cutting images from magazines to illustrate the words noble and ignoble.