English Literature – Mr Feldstein Due Wed Apr. 3

Be prepared for an exam on Death of a Salesman.

Write a detailed review on the movie / play version of Death of a Salesman starring Dustin Hoffman as Willy and John Malkovich as Biff. Your review should discuss details of the play – what worked, what didn’t; the actors’ performance – did they bring out Arthur Miller’s characters the way you had imagined them when you read they play; the stage and the setting. Discuss specific scenes and specific lines. As part of your review, make sure to broach some of the themes of the play. 2 pages, double spaced, 12pt font.

Here are some examples of reviews:

http://www.nytimes.com/books/00/11/12/specials/miller-hoffstage.html

This review is of a recent revival of Death of a Salesman on Broadway. Should give an idea of what the structure of your essay should be. http://theater.nytimes.com/2012/03/16/theater/reviews/death-of-a-salesman-with-philip-seymour-hoffman.html?adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1364137202-KFpdJSTdyTi2dZEpPFl9+g

Here’s a negative review of the movie version by a student: http://assumeyes.wordpress.com/2011/12/16/death-of-a-salesman/