Death of a Salesman By Arthur Miller

Death of a Salesman

Introduction

Death of a Salesman, a play in “two acts and a requiem” by Arthur Miller, written in 1948 and produced in 1949. Miller won a Pulitzer Prize for the work, which he described as “the tragedy of a man who gave his life, or sold it” in pursuit of the American Dream.

After many years on the road as a traveling salesman, Willy Loman realizes he has been a failure as a father and a husband. His sons, Happy and Biff, are not successful—on his terms (being “well liked”) or any others. His career fading, Willy escapes into dreamy reminiscences of an idealized past. In the play’s climactic scene, Biff prepares to leave home, starts arguing with Willy, confesses that he has spent three months in jail, and mocks his father’s belief in “a smile and a shoeshine.” Willy, bitter and broken, his illusions shattered, commits suicide.

The American Dream: Myth, Reality, and the Road Ahead

What Is the American Dream?

The American Dream is the belief that the United States is a land of opportunity where anyone regardless of background can achieve upward mobility, equality, and freedom through hard work and determination. It’s a powerful idea that has inspired generations of immigrants, reformers, and ordinary citizens.

Its roots go back to the aspirations of the early European settlers, who came to America seeking escape from religious persecution, tyranny, and poverty. These dreams were famously captured in the Declaration of Independence (1776), which proclaimed:

“All men are created equal… endowed with unalienable Rights… Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

These words became the moral backbone for generations of Americans pursuing a better life.

References

"Death of a Salesman." Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, inc., https://www.britannica.com/topic/Death-of-a-Salesman.

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