Gosh darn stupid book report about the stupidest play ever created.

[AutumnDae]

I am reading "Death of a Salesman" and I have to do a book report essay.

The play is hard for me to understand, with Willy having flashbacks and whatnot.

My book report is in the form of a literary essay. I have to select a thesis statement and prove it.

Could someone help me with it?

I know the ending, he dies. I skipped ahead as I was talking to someone about it.

Here are what I have narrowed the choices of my thesis statement down to:

"A character's search for happiness if the focus of many works of literature." I chose this one because Willy is trying to find happiness, because he basically hates his life at this point in time.

"Suffering can be a challenge to grow or an occasion to surrender." Willy is suffering through his job, which he hates.

"Often in literature, situations reach "a point of no return", a point after which the life of a character can never be the same." I was thinking after he got fired or whatever.


I have another question. What is the "rubber pipe" that Linda finds and is all worked up about?

And also, did Willy have an affair? Is that what was supposed to be said?

Any help would be great.

[Mzor203]

I think you should choose the first one, personally. Definitely not the third one, as I can see that when you said:

I was thinking after he got fired or whatever.

it just doesn't sound like something that's going to work out with strong support. I think you will find the first one easiest to work with, as you've identified how you will prove it thoroughly.

With the second one:

Willy is suffering through his job, which he hates.

He is suffering... but how would he grow, and how could he surrender? You could work with it, but still, first one should be best.

I haven't read it, sorry.

Hope I helped a ibit.