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Author: Arthur Miller

Number of Pages: 139

Publisher: Viking Books

Release Date: 1949

“The story revolves around the last days of Willy Loman, a failing salesman, who cannot understand how he failed to win success and happiness. Through a series of tragic soul-searching revelations of the life he has lived with his wife, his sons, and his business associates, we discover how his quest for the “American Dream” kept him blind to the people who truly loved him. A thrilling work of deep and revealing beauty that remains one of the most profound classic dramas of the American theatre.”

– Goodreads.com

I haven’t read many modern plays (modern in the sense that it isn’t ancient or written by Shakespeare) so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from Arthur Miller’s Death of Salesman. The synopsis I was given didn’t really appeal to me, because what is so exciting about an old man failing as a salesman? I quickly realized that my initial impression of this play was completely wrong, however- it’s about so much more than poor Willy!

I didn’t think it was incredibly well written, beautiful, or anything like that, but the themes that the play focuses on are extremely thought-provoking and relevant even though it was written over sixty years ago. One can read or watch this play from so many different perspectives and angles, making it a great work to read with a class. For example, one theme is the impact of birth order on personalities and family dynamics. Biff, the oldest child, eventually assumes the responsibility for helping Willy because his younger brother, Happy, idolizes his father and is turning out to be just like him. This also connects with the idea that appearances aren’t everything, because Willy greatly values appearances but he is not a successful or productive worker. Willy’s sons have inherited these beliefs and bad work ethic as well, leading to more conflict and tension in the family. After seeing how his laziness has affected the family, Biff makes a conscious effort to improve his life. These themes were important in the 1950’s and continue to be valuable discussion topics in our society today.

This play is about so much more than I originally thought, and it really makes you think about what you want to do with your life to be happy. Is it worth chasing after your dreams, or is it more beneficial to settle for a reliable job with fewer risks and better pay? At a first glance one might tend to agree with the latter, but this play honestly made me think twice about that initial impression. At a time in my life when I’m trying to decide where to go and what to do after high school, this book was quite influential and thought-provoking.

Overall, Death of a Salesman is a tragic, heart-wrenching play about the ordinary lives of American families everywhere. It may seem like it is simply about an old man nearing the end of his life, but it also encompasses family dynamics, the “American Dream”, and what it really means to be successful. I believe that we can all empathize and connect with at least one character in this play, which  really makes you question if you’re happy with the life you’re currently living. It’s deep stuff, but definitely worth thinking about!

My Rating: :0) :0) :0) :0) 4 out of 5 smileys

Would I recommend it to a friend?: Yes!

Have you ever read this play? What did you think of it? Would you rather be practical and get a well-paying job or follow your dreams despite all the risks? Let me know in the comments section below!

Yours,

HOLLY