Death of a Salesman (Penguin Plays) by Arthur Miller
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Book Reviews of Death of a Salesman (Penguin Plays)
Book Review: Death of a very sad man
Summary: 5 Stars
Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller is the story of a man, Willy Lowman, and he gets to the end of his life and realizes that he has done nothing of great importance. That he has worked all his life and has nothing to show for it. That is not entirely true he has a son that steals and a son that is a nothing. The reading itself was not positive because this is a very sad story about Willy Lowman.I believe that Arthur Millers purpose for writing was to convey to the audience what is wrong with the American view of success. Most Americans believe that success is determined by who you know and how well you are liked. We can see that this is wrong because this was Willy's view on life he judged all of his decisions on what would make him more liked. This is also how he raised his boys and they had all of their priorities screwed up. After basing all his decisions on this principal including how he raised his kids he came to the end of his life and realized that he had nothing.
This book has many important life lessons that everyone can take into thought. One of the lessons that people can learn is not to think that the only thing in life that matters is what others think of you. This is what Willies world revolved around and in the end he ended up killing himself with nothing to show for his life. I would recommend this book because everyone can gather a lesson or two that can be applied to themselves, or can be used to help others.
Book Review: Another American classic!
Summary: 5 Stars
"Death of a Salesman" is a sad, but wonderful play written by Arthur Miller. This play, together with "The Catcher in the Rye", was my introduction to real reading. Previous to reading this book, I had kept to what I will call "easier" reading. "Death of a Salesman" was assigned to us by our English teacher, as part of our undergraduate English class. Our teacher, Mrs. Syring, knew this play by heart. She pointed out the subtleties in this play for us (you can't expect too much from a bunch of accounting students..) and she made us understand what kind of outstanding literary attack on the American society and the American dream this play really is.
The protagonist, Willy Loman, is a committed, hard working, aging, middle class man, with a dream to be rich and successful. Making it "big"- just like the American dream. Unfortunately, Loman is neither rich nor very successful. And in the end, Loman commits suicide, (wrongfully) thinking that his family will be just as happy without him, living well off the insurance money.
This play is a classic portrayal of what kind of tragedy the pursuit of the American dream can bring to a man and his family.
The play is written some sixty years ago (written in 1949), but I don't think this play will ever be outdated. Wonderfully written, with an important moral lesson for all of us to remember.
Book Review: A Classic
Summary: 5 Stars
I first fell in love with the work of Arthur Miller while I was doing my undergraduate studies several years ago. "Death of a Salesman" was among the assigned readings. I instantly fell in love with the story and wrote a paper about it. When I recently saw a used copy of "Death of a Salesman" for fifty cents, I seized the opportunity to enjoy this work again.The main character, Willy Loman faces a hopeless situation. He receives no sense of fulfillment from his job, his sons are disappointments, and he is haunted my the missed opportunities of his life. The only opportunity to save Willy from his demise seems to be the poteantial of his sons to become successful. While their failure seems eminent, Willy sees hope in their attempts. When the sons attempts at success prove futile, it leads to Willy's demise.
Any person who feels underappreciated in life can empathize with Willy Loman. Statements that Arthur Miller made about the American landscape then are still applicable today. Some people would rather not succeed in life as long as they can enjoy themselves. Our missed opprtunities can haunt us for the rest of our lives. But Miller's loudest statement is that in spite of your work and dedication to others, it is possible that nobody will go your funeral. A sad but true statement about a fast paced society.
Book Review: NOT WILLIE'S TIME
Summary: 5 Stars
Arthur Miller had a good ear for the foibles and traumas of the ordinary people of the old middle class put up against the wall in a world that was dramatically changing after World War II. The time of the man in the gray flannel suit and the victory of corporate culture that destroyed the old independent professions was not Willie Loman's time. In this play, seemingly only about the trials and tribulations of Everyman Willie Loman a used up salesman at the end of his career, the underlying tension is that he cannot keep up with those changes and therefore has to be discarded. This has a fallout effect on his personal life as well. He does not understand what has happened to destroy the integrity of his dysfunctional nuclear family. The old standards that had guided him do not stand up in the new suburban-dominated world where he must try to survive. Obviously there is some dramatic tension between him and his sons who have in their own way nothing but contempt for the old man, his old ways, his illusions and his duplicity. But also, as is always the case with rebellious children, love, at least their conception of it, as well. That this is not good enough to save Willie in the end is one of the lessons to be learned from the play. Read the play and see the Lee J. Cobb version of the movie. Cobb is Willie Loman.
Book Review: Delusions of Grandeur
Summary: 5 Stars
'Death of a Salesman' is considered to be the quintessential Arthur Miller play and for good reason. In this drama he puts to good use his vivid characterization and his ability to capture the most intense emotions of humans. It is a quick and pleasureable read about the last days of a fading salesman.
The play tells the story of the famous Willy Loman, a salesman past his prime, who has taken to speaking to characters who do not exist for the others. In the midst of ordinary conversation, Willy will experience these breaks with reality which throw the person he is speaking to in reality into a state of confusion. He is a man who is tired of living and wants to provide for his family; a task he finds impossible in a world he no longer recognizes. Estranged from his elder son Biff because of a past indiscretion, Willy and Biff argue throughout the play, each trying to be something other than what they actually are.
As 'Death of a Salesman' builds to its climactic, tragic end, Miller pulls out all the stops. The revelations and confrontations are marked with astonishing insight and driven by passionate emotions. His characters cannot escape the destinies they have created for themselves which all leads to Willy's final desperate and misguided sacrifice.