Death of a Salesman Reader Response Critique 

In the play Death of a Salesman, the main character Willy Loman contradicts himself over and over again. In regards to the reader this can be rather confusing and disconcerting. He is a salesman who thinks construction work an unfit career for him yet he told his neighbor Charley “A man who can’t handle tools is not a man.” (29). Willy’s opinionated stance on occupation translates to the reader as ungrounded stubbornness. Stubbornness and pride are two of the most relatable traits as we all possess them. Similarly as he defends the way he has raised his sons to Ben saying “That’s just the way I’m bringing them up, Ben – rugged, well liked, all –around” (32). As a father his intensions do seem pure though he goes about them in the wrong way. It is through his role as a father that draws the pity from those who read the play. The character of Ben is meant to draw different sides of Willy and the boys. The advice that he gives to the boys proposes a playful relationship between them and invites the readers to participate in the love of two young boys and their uncles (33). 

"Death of a Salesman" Quote and Question

"Willy: Bigger than Uncle Charley! Because Charley is not -- liked. He's liked, but he's not -- well liked"(18).

Why does Willy believe that being "well liked" is directly linked to success in business?

New Year Reflection Walk

     During my reflect walk I had the chance to analyse my life in the quiet of my neighborhood. It was an opportune moment to ponder on past decisions and potential experiences that this next year will bring.2015 was all in all a fantastic year. Playing at state for softball, going to Europe, and deciding on a college are all pretty memorable events in my life that occurred this past year.

     The end of junior year and the beginning of senior year was a period of time that I think I underwent quite a bit of change. I feel like my priorities changed quite a bit, and if I may say I matured a lot. It's still a daily effort to keep myself in line. Sometimes I can be a bit of a loose cannon, hopefully that settles over time. 

     

      When I look at our little truck I see tradition because it used to be my great uncles and both of my siblings drove it around when they learned to drive. But I also see danger, because driving a stick shift is too much for my taste.

      Children. To my ears this translates as nieces and nephews, whom I hope to have as soon as possible. I find the idea of a growing family very exciting. I've always wanted a big ethnic family but that was not in the cards for me it seems.

Walking into this next year, which will bring more softball, my last summer before college, and then college is a little bit of a scary thought, but we'll see how it goes.

These were live photos so they looked better on my phone. idk.