The Life of Arthur Miller: American Playwright By: Alison Griffin and Allison Ivie

Family Life Born in October 17, 1915 in New York City Born in October 17, 1915 in New York City Grew up during the Great Depression Grew up during the Great Depression His father’s business was ruined during the Depression His father’s business was ruined during the Depression Family forced to move to Brooklyn because of lack of income Family forced to move to Brooklyn because of lack of income Brooklyn home said to be model of the Brooklyn home in Death of a Salesman Brooklyn home said to be model of the Brooklyn home in Death of a Salesman “This desire to move on, to metamorphose- or perhaps it is a talent for being contemporary- was given me as life’s inevitable and rightful condition.” “This desire to move on, to metamorphose- or perhaps it is a talent for being contemporary- was given me as life’s inevitable and rightful condition.”

Childhood Spent most of his time playing baseball, football and reading adventure stories Spent most of his time playing baseball, football and reading adventure stories Graduated from high school in 1932 Graduated from high school in 1932 Worked in an automobile parts warehouse to earn money for college Worked in an automobile parts warehouse to earn money for college

Education Entered the University of Michigan in 1934 to study journalism Entered the University of Michigan in 1934 to study journalism Graduated with a degree in English in 1938 Graduated with a degree in English in 1938 Returned to New York where he joined the Federal Theatre Project and wrote scripts for radio programs Returned to New York where he joined the Federal Theatre Project and wrote scripts for radio programs Known for his social awareness with deep insights into personal weaknesses of his characters Known for his social awareness with deep insights into personal weaknesses of his characters

Personal Life Married in 1940 to Mary Slattery and had two children, ended in divorce. Married in 1940 to Mary Slattery and had two children, ended in divorce. Married Marilyn Monroe in 1956, but her heavy use of drugs led to their divorce in Married Marilyn Monroe in 1956, but her heavy use of drugs led to their divorce in One year after his divorce he married an Austrian photographer named, Inge Morah. One year after his divorce he married an Austrian photographer named, Inge Morah.

Awards All My Sons-New York Drama Critics Circle Award All My Sons-New York Drama Critics Circle Award 1949-Pultizer Prize for Death of a Salesman and Drama Critics Circle 1949-Pultizer Prize for Death of a Salesman and Drama Critics Circle 1949-“Outstanding Father of the Year” 1949-“Outstanding Father of the Year” The Crucible-Antoinette Perry Award The Crucible-Antoinette Perry Award 1965-Elected president of P.E.N., international literary organization 1965-Elected president of P.E.N., international literary organization

Future of Playwriting “It happens to be a very bad historical moment for playwriting, because the theater is getting even more difficult to find actors for, since television pays so much and the movies even more than that. If you’re young, you’ll probably be writing about young people, and that’s easier- you can find young actors-but you can’t readily find mature actors.” “It happens to be a very bad historical moment for playwriting, because the theater is getting even more difficult to find actors for, since television pays so much and the movies even more than that. If you’re young, you’ll probably be writing about young people, and that’s easier- you can find young actors-but you can’t readily find mature actors.”

Bibliography Ward, Selena. Greaves, Brendan. SPARKNOTES: Death of a Salesman. New York, New York: Spark Publishing, Ward, Selena. Greaves, Brendan. SPARKNOTES: Death of a Salesman. New York, New York: Spark Publishing, “Moonstruck Drama Bookstore.” nation.com. 3/1. “Moonstruck Drama Bookstore.” nation.com. 3/1. nation.comwww.imagi- nation.com 3/ / “Arthur Miller ” 3/ “Arthur Miller ” 3/