MODULE 1

• Literature


  Any written works that communicate human experiences, feelings, insights, beliefs, ideas in excellent form and structure
• Theme


  • One way to identify the theme of a literary text
• Dialogue


  The words spoken by a character in a play
• Characterization


  The process by which the character is revealed through his actions, utterances, and direct description
• Short story


  A brief fictional work that can be read in one sitting with the intent of evoking a single effect or mood
• The play "Death of a Salesman" was written by Arthur Miller in 1948 and first performed in 1949
• Willy Loman


  The main character, a travelling salesman who believes that in order to be rich and successful, one should have "good looks" and be well-liked by people
• Willy Loman has a loving wife Linda and two sons Biff and Happy
• Willy's older brother Ben was ten years dead already
• Willy believes that in order to be rich and successful


  One should have "good looks" and be well-liked by people
• Willy: '"Can't you stay a few days? You're just what I need, Ben, because I - I have a fine position here, but I – well , Dad left me when I was such a baby and I never had a chance to talk to him and I still feel – kind of temporary about myself."'
• Ben: '"William, when I walked into the jungle, I was seventeen. When I walked out, I was twenty-one. And by God , I was rich!"'
• Willy is looking for guidance from his brother Ben

  On how to teach his sons the right values
• Willy is arguing with his sons Biff and Happy late at night
• Linda is concerned about Willy's behaviour and tries to defend him
• Biff is critical of Willy and doesn't understand his father's actions
• Happy tries to defend Willy and says Charley wouldn't be able to cope with what Willy has to
• Linda says Willy's old friends and buyers have retired or died, and the company has taken away his salary in his old age
• Biff calls the company "ungrateful bastards" for treating Willy this way after 36 years of service
• Character

  • Mama Lena
  • Beneatha
  • Walter
  • Ruth
• Examples of literature

  • Short story
  • Drama
• Literature teaches us life lessons.
• To give meaning to a piece of literary work, it has to be read, interpreted and analyzed.
• The setting contributes in giving meaning to a story or play.
• Interesting values in life can be learned in reading literature.
• Literature is only for fun and entertainment.
• The poem is about the conflicts the people face when making important choices.