Death of a Salesman: An American Tragedy
Arthur Miller: An American Playwright
Early Life and Success
Arthur Miller, born in New York City on October 17, 1915, began his playwriting career at the University of Michigan. His early works garnered recognition, including a production by the Federal Theatre Project in Detroit. His breakthrough came with All My Sons (1947), followed by the Pulitzer Prize-winning Death of a Salesman (1949), which solidified his status as a major American playwright. Death of a Salesman is often hailed as the first great American tragedy, and Miller’s subsequent works, such as The Crucible (1953), further cemented his legacy. He also received the New York Drama Critics Circle Award twice and the Olivier Award for Broken Glass (1993).
Death of a Salesman: Exploring the American Dream
Death of a Salesman delves into the conflicts within a family while addressing broader American values. The play critiques the blind pursuit of the American Dream, offering a post-war perspective on personal tragedy reminiscent of Sophocles’ Oedipus Cycle. Miller challenges the materialistic interpretation of the American Dream, arguing that it obscures the original vision of the country’s founders.
Post-War America and Existentialism
Death of a Salesman remains relevant decades later. Its critique of American values resonated deeply in the post-World War II era, a time marked by both prosperity and underlying tensions like the Cold War, racial conflict, and social stratification. A new generation of artists, influenced by existentialism, challenged the focus on material success. Miller’s work, inspired by European existentialism, explored these themes within a distinctly American context.
The Influence of Personal Experience
The play’s dramatic conflict stems from Miller’s relationship with his uncle, Manny Newman, a salesman who instilled a sense of competition and a rejection of failure. Miller’s early short story about an unsuccessful salesman, revived by his interactions with Newman, evolved into Death of a Salesman. By channeling his emotions through Willy Loman, Miller tapped into the American psyche.