74 pages 2 hours read

Arthur Miller

Death of a Salesman

Fiction | Play | Adult | Published in 1949

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller follows Willy Loman, a struggling 63-year-old salesman in Brooklyn, as he grapples with the failures of his career and family relationships, leading to his mental and emotional decline.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman is praised for its poignant portrayal of the American Dream's failures, with compelling characters and timeless themes. Criticisms include its sometimes bleak narrative and the protagonist's complex, often frustrating decisions. Overall, it remains a powerful, thought-provoking piece of theater.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Death of a Salesman?

Readers who appreciate complex character studies and critiques of the American Dream, as seen in works like Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby or Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, will find Death of a Salesman engaging. Fans of tragedy and deep familial dynamics will also connect with Miller’s exploration of ambition, identity, and societal expectations.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Play: Tragedy

Play: Drama

Modern Classic Fiction

Themes

Relationships: Fathers

Identity: Masculinity

Emotions/Behavior: Memory

Topics

Education