THESIS

All thesis statements for your research paper must be submitted by 8:00 tonight.  SHARE them to my Google Drive account at dastrait@wi.rr.com

At this point, credit afforded to this assignment is done this evening. 

Your thesis should have the following:

1) A brief description of your topic.
2) A statement about how your topic impacts the family or one's self-identity.
3) Some mentioning about how any of your four resources will be emphasized in your essay: maybe most of the emphasis will be solely on the play, song, some study that you found, or the film you chose.  Maybe you are mostly focusing on the song AND the play.  Either way, identify one or more of your sources in your thesis. 

If you have ANY questions, please don't hesitate to call, text, or email me.  My mobile is 262-385-4013. 

RESEARCH STATEMENT (Topic)

Final Conversation

Finish the play and carefully read the definition of CATHARSIS from this link (http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/99492/catharsis).  Why is this concept so important to the author's purpose writing a tragedy? From the climactic scene in the kitchen, quote one of Biff's lines and explain how it is part of a catharsis (for Biff, maybe the audience, or both).  

EXTRA CREDIT OPP (+10 overall): Copy and paste into your comment a link to a song whose speaker you think could empathize with Biff's experience.  I'd like to devote one day this week in pairs just responding to other people's song choices.  Bring headphones every day.  

THIRD CONVERSATION

SUCCESS and the means to achieving it seems to separate Willy from his employer, his neighbors, and his family.  Based on some of the more pathetic events at the start of ACT II (pp. 70-98), how is this separation playing out.  One comment and one reply are due Sunday evening. 

Symbolic Props

Choose one prop from the play and explain how it symbolizes at least two of the following: cultural values, a source of conflict, and how characters see themselves and others.  Be sure to note how the symbolic weight of the prop might extend across much of the first act.  This will be worth 15 points. 

FIRST CONVERSATION

Call attention to some of the play’s set design and note how it reveals or enhances some of Willy’s issues in the opening scene.  Do you feel bad for the guy?