Costello AP Lit Death of a Salesman Socratic Seminar Thursday, March 8, 2012

A few reminders about the format: Comments should only use one example of support. Avoid rattling off laundry lists of examples that may take comments out of others mouths. Affirm those comments you agree with by supporting them with further evidence. Support your own view without degrading another point of view. o At the same time, dont let factual inaccuracies go without correction. If youve attained the required number of comments, please allow others 1st dibs on questions. I am requiring a minimum of 2 comments per participant (40-minute class period) Comments will be assessed as follows: o an A comment (10 pts.) makes comment that uses specific example from text makes comment that draws new conclusion about text based on others comments makes comment that connects to specific example from another text, other subjects, the real world, history, etc. o a B comment (8 pts.) makes a new or insightful comment, without specific example from text, other texts, other subjects, the real world, history, etc. poses a new question to the seminar o a Z (zero) comment makes irrelevant, obstructive, redundant comment fails to comment o a T comment (deletes your best comment) any inattentive behavior o After the seminar is over, your two highest comments will be used to calculate your score.

1. How does your perspective of Willy change throughout the play?

2. What is Willys tragic flaw?

3. With which character do you sympathize the most?

Costello AP Lit 4. In what instances does the family avoid the truth most?

5. Both The Glass Menagerie and A Raisin in the Sun utilize memory in significant ways. How does this serve the theme(s) of the plays?

6. What symbolic or thematic importance does the garden hold?

7. What appropriateness/purpose/significance do the specific events in Willys flashbacks have?