Death of a Salesman

Arthur Miller's extraordinary masterpiece changed the course of modern theatre, remaining a powerful examination of American life and consumerism. Willy Loman, on his last legs, struggles with his failing job and the disappointment of his sons, Biff and Happy, who do not meet his expectations. Tormented by jealousy of his successful neighbor Charley and his son Bernard, Willy descends into a spiral of regret and reminiscence. The narrative serves as a scathing indictment of the ultimate failure of the American dream and the hollow pursuit of wealth and success. Through Willy Loman, Miller explores the consequences of a man losing his grip on life's forces. Born in New York City in 1915, Arthur Miller was a prominent American dramatist. He won awards for his comedy The Grass Still Grows in 1938, but his major achievement was this work, which earned the 1949 Pulitzer Prize for drama and the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award. His play The Crucible addressed the congressional investigation of subversive activities in the U.S. and won the 1953 Tony Award. Miller's autobiography, Timebends: A Life, was published in 1987. If you enjoyed this work, you may also like Tennessee Williams' A Streetcar Named Desire, available in Penguin Modern Classics.