logo

30 pages 1 hour read

Death of a Traveling Salesman

Fiction | Short Story | Adult

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.

Essay Topics

1.

Welty was born in Jackson, Mississippi, in 1909 and came of age during the Southern Renaissance literary movement. How does her writing display characteristics of that movement? Are there any characteristics of the movement that most of her writing does not express?

2.

Shortly before he collapses, Bowman feels “[h]e must get back to where he had been before” (118). Despite the cruciality of this line, the narrative leaves its meaning ambiguous. Is there a single interpretation that is superior to others? Why or why not?

3.

Analyze the story’s title and the protagonist’s name. How might Welty’s choices have influenced Arthur Miller’s title and protagonist’s name in his play “Death of a Salesman”? Do the two works share themes, or are they even comparable?

blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
Unlock IconUnlock all 30 pages of this Study Guide

Plus, gain access to 8,650+ more expert-written Study Guides.

Including features:

+ Mobile App
+ Printable PDF
+ Literary AI Tools