Death of a Salesman is a play written by American playwright Arthur Miller in 1949. It was the recipient of the 1949 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Tony Award for Best Play. It has become an icon of American literature that should be read by anyone interested in understanding American culture.The play tells the story of a traveling salesman, Willy Lohman, who is getting on in years and is becoming
. less and less cognizant of the physical world around him. He constantly talks to himself, daydreams, vacillates, and has been in some minor automobile accidents. His wife, Linda, who is still very supportive of him and concerned about his dwindling abilities, feels it would be best if he ask his boss if he will give Willy a job in town so he will no longer need to travel. Willy's argument is that their son Biff is still not situated in his life and he needs to see that happen before he takes any risks with his job.The bulk of the play concerns the conversations that ensue among Willy, Biff, and another son named Happy. It seems that Biff's failure to follow through on his early success in high school as a star athlete is the result of a discovery he made at that time about his father's infidelity with a woman he met while traveling, unbeknownst to his wife Linda. The sons show signs of emulating their father in their behavior and attitudes, all the while pleading with him to lower his expectations and just let them be who they are. In a desperate attempt to free his sons for once and for all, Willy kills himself in an accident.The play is stunning in its simplicity. Rife with symbolism and metaphor, it is itself a metaphor for the unattained American dream.The full text of the play, with accompanying study guides, can be found at the sources listed below. More reference links: www.theenglishtutor.com/salesman.html www.cummingsstudyguides.net/Deathof.html
