Death of a Salesman

Precis:
In his play "Death of a Salesman" (1949), Arthur Miller describes the typical life of an American Dreamer; Willy Loman. Miller illustrates the struggles and the anxieties Willy faces living in a city where he believes he will prosper one day. Miller uses flashbacks, metaphors, allegories and imagery to depict how Willy back in the days believed he would "make it big some day" and how now that he is old, he is realizing that everything he ever wished to accomplish throughout his life did not go the way he planned. All Willy Loman ever wanted was to be successful not only for himself, but for his family as well. His failure to accomplish his dreams brings him to find refuge in the "success" he sees in his sons' futures. Miller's purpose is to emphasize and illustrate the struggles many Americans face daily. Similarly to Willy Loman, many Americans get caught up in their dreams and aspirations; they loose tract of reality focusing on fantasies. Willy Loman symbolizes the "Common American", an American who strives for success and when it is not met, it leads to dangerous extremes; one of which is suicidal. Throughout the play Miller maintains an intense and reminiscent tone.   


Vocabulary:

• Trepidation: (n.) state of fear or anxiety; perturbation.
• Simonizing: (v.) to shine or polish to a high sheen; especially with wax. 
• Pompous: (adj.) having or exhibiting self-importance: arrogant.
• Crummy: (adj.) to be of little value; inferior.
• Carburetor: (n.) a device in an internal combustion engine for mixing air with a fine spray of liquid fuel.
• Cellar: (n.) under ground room(s) used for storage
• Laconic: (adj.) using few words; expressing much in few words; concise.  
• Ignoramus: (n.pl.) an extremely ignorant person 
• Imbue: (v.) To inspire or influence thoroughly; pervade. 
• Fob: (n.) to cheat; deceive. 
• Valises: (n.) small piece of luggage; suitcase. 
• Saccharine: (adj.) excessively sweet; sugary. 

Tone: Intense, tragic, reminiscent 

Rhetorical Strategies: 

• Imagery: "...the trees are so thick, and the sun is warm. I opened the windshield and just let the warm air bathe over me." (Pg.14)
• Metaphor: "He's only a little boat looking for harbor." (Pg. ) 
• Simile: " He's not allowed to fall into his grave like an old dog." (Pg.56)
• Flashback: "Remember how they used to follow him around high school? When he smiled at one of them their faces lit up. When he walked down the street..." (Pg.16)
• Periodic Sentence: "But now his old friends, the old buyers that loved him so and always found some order to hand to him in a pinch- they're all dead, retired" (Pg. 57)
• Allegory: Stockings. " I won't have you mending stocking in this house! Now throw them out!" "You - you gave her Mama's stockings!"( 121)
-The stockings serve as a torment to Willy. They symbolize the affair he had with another women.

Discussion Questions:

• In what ways does Willy's affair ruin both his and his son's (Biff) future? 
• Why does Arthur Miller compose his play rich on allegories? 
• How does Willy Loman serve as a reflection of a "Common American" in our society today? 

Quote:

"I am known, Ben, and he'll see it with his eyes once and for all. He'll see what I am, Ben! He's in for a shock, that boy!" (Pg. 126)

The Big Thirst: Chapters 8-10

Precis:
     In his book  "The Big Thirst: The Secret Life and Turbulent Future of Water" (2011), Charles Fishman claims that Americans are fortunate to have an easy and accessible water system. Fishman begins the course of these chapters by providing statistics that show how "Just one of the thirty-five largest cities in India has twenty-four-hour-a day water service" emphasizing the daily struggles citizens in these countries go through obtain water; water which should be easily accessible to them. In comparison to the United States, many citizens in India are illiterate because they spend the majority of their days"fetching for water" where as in the United States citizens have the opportunity to attend school and become well educated. Fishman continues his book by providing both logical and emotional appeals which portray how critical the lack of a stable water system is to India due to the fact that " forty children  an hour...die from contaminated water", as well as how economy is a major obstacle. Fishman illustrates how Americans are receiving water at a very logical price in comparison to other countries that are suffering. He concludes his book by repeating some of the most crucial points he emphasized in his book. Fishman's purpose is to aware Americans and other countries of the importance of water to our daily lives and how "we as a community, or as dependents on water" should commit ourselves to the conservation of water. Fishman maintained an objective and sincere tone throughout the book. 


Vocabulary: 

• Dubious: (adj.) doubtful quality, untrustworthy
• Notoriously: (adj.) well-known for some bad or unfavorable quality 
• Stagnant: (adj.) to be in a state of standing still, without flow or current (referring to water)
• Cataract: (n.) a large waterfall or rapids
• Dichotomy: (n.pl.) division into two parts; parts which widely contradict each other
• Flyovers: (n.) flight over a specified area as for viewing; aircraft
• Cacophonous: (adj.) having a harsh or discordant sound
• Vertiginous: (adj.) to be in constant change, unstable
• Perennials: (adj.) lasting a long time or being continuous 
• Tantrum: (n.) outburst of bad temper

Tone: Objective, Honest

Rhetorical Strategies:

• Statistics: "In 2008, the Indian economy grew 9 percent. In 2006, 2007, and 2008 - three years combined - the U.S. economy grew 8.4 percent." (Pg.226)
"Farmers in India use 80 percent of water consumed in the country..." (Pg.232)
• Compare/Contrast: " Honoi and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, both have water service 24/7...In India...there is virtually no political support for the idea of 27/7 water." (Pg. 233)
• Emotional Appeal: "One Indian toddler, not even old enough for kindergarten, dies every ninety seconds from bad water..." (Pg.223)
• Description/Imagery: " the women and girls in bright orange and turquoise shirts and blouses, the men and boys in slacks and untucked long-sleeved shirts, shorts, or T-shirts." (Pg.218)
• Simile: "They ran the water company like they would have run a small-town doctor's practice: always on call." (Pg.271)

Questions: 

• Why does Fishman organize his last chapters rich on repetitions? Is this to remind readers of specific points/ideas he was targeting throughout his book?
•  After reading Fishman's book, how would society's perspective towards water change? Why do you think so?
• Why does Fishman decide to connect the problem of water with the economy of the U.S. and other countries?

Quote:

"India's water problems are already becoming our water problems - not just the way we take water for granted but the fact that we fail to appreciate two things: the value of easy, reliable water service in our daily lives and our economy, and the level of investment that kind of water service requires." (Pg.235)

The Big Thirst: Chapters 5-7

Precis:
    In his novel "The Big Thirst: The Secret Life and Turbulent Future of Water" (2011), Charles Fishman continues to assert how crucial water is to human life. However, in the course of these chapters in comparison to the previous ones; Charles Fishman illustrates the various actions countries are taking to conserve water. Fishman uses statistics to portray how "big companies" like that of Coca Cola " Between 2004 and 2008, [have] cut the amount of process water per litter of a drink by eight ounces." Fishman claims that these companies aren't doing it to "satisfy their curiosity or to amuse us.." but are rather "doing it because they want to use less water" which will benefit our future. He further on compares and contrasts how these big companies like that of Coca Cola, CEO, and Las Vegas Hotel attempt  to conserve water. Fishman continues the novel by giving real-life experiences where countries have struggled because of droughts,specifically a small municipal in Australia; Toowoomba. Fishman on average makes the course of these chapters rich on personification and similes to emphasize how devastating living without water would be; "like slipping off the edge of a cliff..hard to be saved". Fishman's purpose is to advise everyone, particularly Americans of how crucial it is to conserve water and how we should all attempt to conserve it any way possible. Fishman maintains an objective and informative tone throughout.
Vocabulary:

• Harrumphed: (v.) to express oneself gruffly. 
• Couture: (n.) high fashion designing and dressmaking. 
• Lanolin: (n.) a fatty substance, extracted from wool.
• Disdain: (v.) to look upon with contempt.
• Acclimated: (v.) to adapt to a new climate or environment.
• Pub: (n.) a bar or a tavern.
• Insular: (adj.) pertaining to an island.
• Abattoir: (n.) a slaughterhouse.
• Visceral: (adj.) proceeding from instinct rather than intellect
• Pharmaceutical: (adj.)  pertaining to a pharmacy or pharmacist
• Cognizant: (adj.) to be awaire; have knowledge 
• Cantankerous: (adj.) disagreeable to deal with; hard to deal with; contentious 
• Boisterous: (adj.) noisy and lively; unruly
• Pirouetted: (n.)  a whirling about on one foot or on the points of the toes; like that of ballet dancing
• Desalination: (n.) the process of removing salt especially from sea water as a method of purifying water to drink or use to irrigate.
• Austerity: (n. pl.) strict form of economy.
• Acrimonious: (adj.) caustic, stinging, or a bitter in nature or behavior.

Tone: Objective, Informative

Rhetorical Strategies:

• Statistics: "So one gallon of water used by Intel in 2005 generated $5.74 in revenue and $1.29 in profit; in 2009, a gallon of water generated only $4.37 in revenue and 55 cents in profit." (Pg.120)
• Expert Opinions: "Back in the 1980's we were using in excess of a gigaliter of mains water a year...says David Mitchell, comanaging director of Michelle...Michelle is one of the largest single users of water in the state of South Australia..." (Pgs. 114-115)
• Simile: "But running out of water is like slipping off the edge of a cliff-it's hard to be saved." (Pg.147)
• Compare and Contrast:  " These companies aren't metering their water use with such precision to satisfy their curiosity or amuse us. They're doing it because they want to use less water, because they may soon have no choice..."  (Pgs. 114-125)
   -Throughout the course of these pages, Fishman compares Coca Cola company, Las Vegas Hotels, CEO company's  method's in preserving or reducing their water usage.
• Allusion: "Every ship that leaves Australia probably has wool from Michelles on it, " the Sydney SunHerald quoted...." (Pg.113)
  - Fishman quotes and refers back to newspaper articles.

Discussion Questions:

• Why does Charles Fishman begin Chapter six by referring back to several examples of death-related events that occurred because of dehydration? Specifically why does he have to refer to a car in these deaths? Is this some sort of sarcasm or awareness?  
• What are some of the methods California is taking in reducing water usage? Has the United States used " the technology" of recyclable water? 
• Why does Fishman compare Toowoomba water technology to that of Orange County? Is this to portray the advancement of technology in the United States in comparison to other nations? 

Quote:

"When you start to think like we think, you don't see water in the pipes. You see dollar signs." (Pg.112)

The Big Thirst: Chapters 1-4

     In his novel The Big Thirst: The Secret Life and Turbulent Future of Water (2011), Charles Fishman describes the beneficial qualities of water to our planet Earth, but claims that many people do not appreciate the presence of water. To support his argument, Fishman composes his books rich on statistics and anecdotes where he analyzes the importance of water for the daily life of humans as well as how many people manipulate and misuse water. Charles Fishman begins the novel by describing how water is used in our planet. He gives examples by describing the uses of water from a "simple cup of coffee to rocket ships". Furthermore, Fishman asserts that scientists claim they know everything about water from its uses to the amount there is in our planet, but in reality no one knows the exact percent of water in our Earth because " most of the water is missing...It's in the mantle, and it, too, cycles" therefore water contains its mysteries. Fishman continues to analyze the beneficial uses water has in our planet , but articulates how people misuse water and take too much advantage of it unwisely, especially Americans whom are lucky to have easy access to purified water in comparison to other countries.  Fishman argues that it is easy to have a relationship with your car or your "valuable necessities" but when it comes to water "most of us don't think of ourselves as having a relationship with water" a relationship where we learn to value its presence. To conclude, Fishman implies that we will truly learn to value water until it is gone.

Vocabulary: 

• Ricochet: (v.) to rebound from a surface or surfaces with characteristic of whining or zipping sound.
• Aqueducts: (n.) a bridge-like structure that carries a water canal across a valley or over a river. 
• Succumbed: (v.) to surrender; yield
• Hydrant: (n.) a water faucet or pipe with a spout, nozzle or other outlet. 
• Viscosity: (n. pl.) the state or quality of being vicious.
• Magnetron: (n.) An electron tube that produces microwave radiation.  
• Alchemy: (n. pl)   process of transmuting a common substance, usually of little value inot a sustance of greater value, ex. gold. 
• Nimble: (adj.) quick to understand, think, devise.
• Prosaic: (adj.) lacking imagination
• Debris: (n.) the remains of anything broken or destroyed.

Tone: objective, sincere

Rhetorical Strategies: 

• Personification: "The wind across the surface of a lake or a bay writes clearly on the waves..." (Pg.26)
• Simile: "..the three joined atoms look a bit like Mickey Mouse's head..." (Pg.41)
• Antithesis: "Water is the source of life, and also the source of death." (Pg. 49)
• Statistics: " Water used in the United States peaked in 1980, at 440 billion gallons a day for all purposes." (Pg. 21)
• Imagery: " We know the sharp smell of rain misted through the air after a summer downpour." (Pg.26)

Discussion Questions: 

• Why does Charles Fishman include questions and answers by Jacobsen in the first few chapters? Is this to restate important facts the readers may have missed while reading the book?
• Which country is the one that misuses water the most? 
• What are some daily-life changes people can make to conserve water?

Quote: 

"But water has achieved an invisiblity in our lives that is only more remarkable given how central it is. Water used to be part of rhythm and motivation of daily life..." (Pg.3)