Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman Most information courtesy of The Kennedy Center’s ARTSEDGE

Arthur Miller says: Plays can ask difficult questions about morality and responsibility and then challenge people to change their lives and the world. Plays can ask difficult questions about morality and responsibility and then challenge people to change their lives and the world. “The mission of the theater is… to raise the consciousness of people to their human possibilities." “The mission of the theater is… to raise the consciousness of people to their human possibilities."

Miller, continued Born in 1915 Born in 1915 Depression survivor Depression survivor Moved to Brooklyn after stock market crash Moved to Brooklyn after stock market crash

Miller, continued Wrote several plays including The Crucible Wrote several plays including The Crucible Died in 2005 at age 89 Died in 2005 at age 89

Themes in Miller’s plays morality morality responsibility responsibility compassion compassion fragility of human relationships—especially between fathers and sons fragility of human relationships—especially between fathers and sons

Taking a Stand Miller called before the House Committee of Un-American Activities

Taking a Stand Refused to name names Refused to name names Convicted of contempt Convicted of contempt

Miller’s Plays Miller’s most famous plays are based on his life or on current events Miller’s most famous plays are based on his life or on current events A family’s economic struggles, the life of Miller’s salesman uncle, and the Brooklyn house where Miller grew up inspired the story and setting of Death of a Salesman. A family’s economic struggles, the life of Miller’s salesman uncle, and the Brooklyn house where Miller grew up inspired the story and setting of Death of a Salesman. All My Sons is based on the true story of a businessman who sold faulty machine parts to the U.S. military during World War II. All My Sons is based on the true story of a businessman who sold faulty machine parts to the U.S. military during World War II.

Miller’s Influences The Crucible, set during the Salem witch trials in the 1600s, is really about Joseph McCarthy’s congressional hearings, which were designed to find communist sympathizers in the United States. The Crucible, set during the Salem witch trials in the 1600s, is really about Joseph McCarthy’s congressional hearings, which were designed to find communist sympathizers in the United States. Miller’s troubled marriage to movie star Marilyn Monroe is portrayed in After the Fall. Miller’s troubled marriage to movie star Marilyn Monroe is portrayed in After the Fall. A View From the Bridge is based on a story that Miller heard from a Brooklyn longshoreman. A View From the Bridge is based on a story that Miller heard from a Brooklyn longshoreman.

The Work Tragedy of the common man, Willy Loman Tragedy of the common man, Willy Loman Success – as he knows it – eludes him Success – as he knows it – eludes him No matter how hard he tries, he fails No matter how hard he tries, he fails Memories and delusions are Willy’s way of combating the fear of total failure Memories and delusions are Willy’s way of combating the fear of total failure Written post-WWII Written post-WWII First performed at Philadelphia’s Locust Street Theater First performed at Philadelphia’s Locust Street Theater

The American Dream Play is a metaphor for its death Play is a metaphor for its death We all sell ourselves We all sell ourselves Miller said that “we are all salesman,” meaning that we are all trying to impress others so that we can be popular Miller said that “we are all salesman,” meaning that we are all trying to impress others so that we can be popular Generation Like? Generation Like?

Production – Form & Structure The play tells Willy’s entire life story over the course of 24 hours. Miller structured the play so that it follows Willy’s thoughts, dreams, and memories, which are shown in flashbacks and fantasy scenes. The play tells Willy’s entire life story over the course of 24 hours. Miller structured the play so that it follows Willy’s thoughts, dreams, and memories, which are shown in flashbacks and fantasy scenes.

SET DESIGN Miller’s description of the set is precise. The walls of the Lomans’ house are transparent; the house is like a skeleton. Miller’s description of the set is precise. The walls of the Lomans’ house are transparent; the house is like a skeleton. Characters either walk around or through the walls, depending on whether the scene is in the present or the past. Characters either walk around or through the walls, depending on whether the scene is in the present or the past. The space around the house gets smaller as the play progresses. By the end, the apartment buildings that surround the house are lit so that—as Miller specifies—they “rise into sharp focus.” The space around the house gets smaller as the play progresses. By the end, the apartment buildings that surround the house are lit so that—as Miller specifies—they “rise into sharp focus.”

Lighting Miller’s descriptions are also exact. Scenes in the past are lit as if leaves (not apartment buildings) surround the Loman house. Past is softer and warmer than scenes set in the present. Miller’s descriptions are also exact. Scenes in the past are lit as if leaves (not apartment buildings) surround the Loman house. Past is softer and warmer than scenes set in the present. By paying attention to the lighting effects, audiences know when time passes from present to past and back again. By paying attention to the lighting effects, audiences know when time passes from present to past and back again.

Music Willy hears the sounds of the flutes that his father (also a salesman) made and sold. The flute is a sound of the past—and represents the betrayal of that past as the reality of Willy’s failures closes in on him. Willy hears the sounds of the flutes that his father (also a salesman) made and sold. The flute is a sound of the past—and represents the betrayal of that past as the reality of Willy’s failures closes in on him. Production Notes : center.org/students/features/master- work/miller-death-of-a-salesman#the- work

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Actors who have starred in the play Dustin Hoffman Dustin Hoffman Lee J. Cobb Lee J. Cobb Philip Seymour Hoffman Philip Seymour Hoffman Fredric March (Best Actor Nominee) Fredric March (Best Actor Nominee) Brian Dennehy Brian Dennehy John Malkovich John Malkovich