American Dream Message

This analytical worksheet is designed for Grades 9-12 and helps students examine how Arthur Miller critiques the American Dream through Willy Loman’s beliefs, choices, and ultimate failure. Students begin with short reflection questions comparing Willy’s values to Biff’s and analyzing why Willy’s vision of success collapses. They then write a focused, text-based paragraph explaining why Miller chose Willy as the character through whom to challenge cultural ideals of achievement, popularity, and prosperity. The activity emphasizes close reading, authorial intent, and clear literary argumentation.

Learning Goals

• Author’s Purpose Analysis (Secondary ELA) – Explain how and why Miller critiques the American Dream
• Theme Interpretation – Analyze how cultural values shape character outcomes
• Character Comparison – Contrast Willy and Biff to highlight competing definitions of success
• Text-Based Writing – Write a coherent analytical paragraph supported by evidence

Instructional Benefits

• Teacher-Created Resource – Aligned with high school literature and writing standards
• Scaffolded Argumentation – Reflection questions lead naturally into a structured paragraph
• Cultural Context Focus – Connects the play’s themes to broader societal ideals
• Essay Readiness – Builds skills needed for literary analysis essays and assessments
• Flexible Use – Ideal for novel units, test prep, formative assessment, or discussion follow-up
• Low Prep – Print-and-use worksheet with clear prompts and writing guidance

This American Dream message worksheet helps students move beyond plot summary to examine Death of a Salesman as a powerful social critique. By analyzing Willy’s failures and Miller’s purpose, learners gain deeper insight into how literature challenges cultural myths and values. Whether used as a focused analysis lesson or a bridge to extended writing, this resource supports thoughtful, evidence-based interpretation of one of American drama’s most enduring themes.

This worksheet is part of our Death of a Salesman Worksheets collection.