Arthur Miller wrote the play Death of a Salesman in 1949. The play tells the story of Willy Loman, a traveling salesman struggling to maintain his identity and cling to the American Dream as his world crumbles around him. Some key themes explored in the play include the failure of the American Dream, feelings of abandonment and betrayal, and the contrast between ideal memories of the past and the bleak present reality. The setting is Willy's house, surrounded by towering angular shapes that give off an ominous glow, representing his declining mental state.

1. DEATH OF A SALESMAN
Arthur Miller

2. ARTHUR MILLER
• 1915-2005
• Lived through the Great Depression, World War II, the Cold War
• Father lost his business in 1928
• Attended University of Michigan in 1934 as an English major
• First produced show, The Man Who Had All the Luck, received negative reviews
• Three years later found success with All My Sons and Death of a Salesman

3. THUG NOTES REVIEW
• https://youtu.be/QkIzYjFl8LE

4. TRAGEDY AND THE COMMON MAN
• “As a general rule, to which there may be exceptions unknown to me, I think the
tragic feeling is evoked in us when we are in the presence of a character who is
ready to lay down his life, if need be, to secure one thing-his sense of personal
dignity.”
– Arthur Miller

5. MUSIC
• Flute Theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aSZ0DZo5FQ
• What does the music make you feel? Is it an appropriate theme?
• Arthur Miller: “It is small and fine, telling of grass and trees and the horizon.”

6. SET DESIGN
“Before us is the Salesman’s house.
We are aware of towering, angular
shapes behind it, surrounding it on
all sides. Only the blue light of the
sky falls upon the house and
forestage; the surrounding area
shows an angry glow of orange….
The entire setting is wholly, or in
some places, partially transparent.”

7. THEMES
• The American Dream
• Abandonment
• Betrayal
• Ideal Memories vs. Present
• Unrealistic and nonrealistic elements