Arthur Miller - Death of a Salesman Study Notes

Arthur Miller - Death of a Salesman

Author Information

• Arthur Miller: Born in New York City in 1915, he attended the University of Michigan.

• Notable Works Include:

  • Plays:

  • All My Sons (1947)

  • Death of a Salesman (1949)

  • The Crucible (1953)

  • A View from the Bridge

  • A Memory of Two Mondays (1955)

  • After the Fall (1964)

  • Incident at Vichy (1965)

  • The Price (1968)

  • The Creation of the World and Other Business (1972)

  • The American Clock (1980)

  • Novels:

  • Focus (1945)

  • The Misfits (1960; adapted into a film)

  • Essays and Memoirs:

  • Timebends: A Life (1987)

  • Mr. Peters’ Connections (1999)

  • Echoes Down the Corridor: Collected Essays 1944–2000

  • On Politics and the Art of Acting (2001)

• Awards:

  • Pulitzer Prize (1949)

  • New York Drama Critics Circle Award (two occasions)

Introduction (By Christopher Bigsby)

• Contextual Background: The Great Depression

  • The 1930s Depression shattered America's optimistic promises to its citizens.

  • Although the American Dream seemed to fade, such myths persist in society.

• Themes of the Play:

  • The search for the American Dream amidst personal and national despair is embodied in Willy Loman’s character.

  • Willy Loman represents a failure of dreams, as he is trapped in a cycle of unfulfilled expectations.

  • The link between individual identity and societal expectations is a major theme; success is equated with self-worth.

• Willy’s Character:

  • Willy is a 63-year-old salesman bewildered by his failures, often reminiscing about better times like those during the 1920s.

  • His personal failures result in existential despair and a desperate search for validation through his sons.

• Historical Connections:

  • Death of a Salesman reflects the cultural zeitgeist of the post-war American society.

  • The play intersects with individual journeys against a backdrop of societal struggles, including those faced by immigrants and the quest for fulfillment in America.

Major Themes and Concepts

• Illusion vs. Reality:

  • Willy Loman’s delusions concerning success and failure explore the disparity between dreams and harsh realities.

  • Example: Willy’s fixation on being "well-liked" is central to his identity crisis and eventual downfall.

• The American Dream:

  • Willy’s pursuit of the American Dream manifests in materialism but leads to spiritual disillusionment.

  • Willy’s faith in success based on charm and likability is ultimately critiqued.

• Father-Son Relationships:

  • The conflict between Willy and Biff highlights generational struggles and different approaches to success.

  • Example: Biff’s realization of his father’s flawed values leads to a break in their relationship but ultimately to self-awareness.

• The Role of Women:

  • Linda represents the emotional support often unrecognized; her strength contrasts Willy’s weaknesses.

  • She endures Willy’s illusions and desires to support him while trying to address her family’s needs.

Structure and Style

• Non-Linear Narrative:

  • The play interlaces memories and present experiences, conveying the instability of Willy’s psyche.

• Symbolism:

  • Flute Music:

  • Represents nostalgia and Willy's lost dreams. His father, a flute maker, symbolizes the ideals of craftsmanship juxtaposed against Willy's commercialism.

  • Seeds:

  • Symbolize Willy’s desire to cultivate potential for success, which mirrors his inability to nurture his family's unity.

• Dialogue and Language:

  • Miller employs a mixture of realistic dialogue and lyrical moments, reflecting the tension between everyday struggles and existential themes.

• Innovative Use of Time:

  • Flow between past and present allows the audience to experience Willy’s disorientation and the traumatic impact of his memories.

Character Analysis

• Willy Loman:

  • A charismatic yet flawed salesman whose chase for validation leads to despair and shame.

  • Philosophical Implication: Conveys the dangers of conflating self-worth with societal approval.

• Biff Loman:

  • Willy's troubled son who transitions from hope to self-realization, ultimately rejecting his father's dream for authenticity.

• Linda Loman:

  • Devoted wife and mother, representing resilience and pragmatism, is often overshadowed by Willy's dreams.

• Happy Loman:

  • Willy’s other son, often sidelined; reflects a misguided pursuit of success akin to his father's.

• Charley:

  • Acts as a foil to Willy, embodying practical wisdom and offering a contrasting perspective on success.

• Bernard:

  • Charley’s son; represents the societal success achieved through hard work and study, contrasting Biff's path.

Thematic Implications

• Ethical Dilemmas of Success:

  • Discussion of how societal values affect family dynamics and personal identity.

• Reflection on Mental Health:

  • Willy's struggles can be seen as a critique of how societal pressures jeopardize individual wellness.

Conclusion

• Lasting Impact:

  • Death of a Salesman remains relevant as an exploration of the human condition, particularly within the American context of aspiration and failure.

  • Critiques contemporary society and continues to resonate with audiences.

Cast of Characters

• Willy Loman

• Linda Loman

• Biff Loman

• Happy Loman

• Bernard

• The Woman

• Charley

• Uncle Ben

• Howard Wagner

• Jenny

• Stanley

• Miss Forsythe

• Letta

Performance Details

• Original Production: Staged by Elia Kazan at the Morosco Theatre in New York on February 10, 1949.

• Music and Design: Designed by Jo Mielziner, with incidental music by Alex North.

Key Quotes

• "Attention, attention must be finally paid to such a person." (Linda Loman)

• “A salesman is got to dream.” (Charley)

• “I am not a dime a dozen! I am Willy Loman!” (Willy Loman)

Notes

• Detailed study and further reading references may explore the critique of American capitalism and the underpinnings of the American Dream as mirrored in the play and extended through Miller's other works.