Death of a Salesman - Mille feuilles

Paperback, 426 pages

English language

Published March 25, 1996 by Penguin Books.

ISBN:: 978-0-14-024773-2
OCLC Number:: 523035527

(1 review)

Since it was first performed in 1949, Arthur Miller's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama about the tragic shortcomings of an American dreamer has been recognized as a milestone of the theatre. This Viking Critical Library edition of Death of a Salesman contains the complete text of the play, typescript facsimiles, and extensive critical and contextual material including:

-Conflicting review about its opening night by Robert Garland, Harold Clurman, Eleanor Clark, and others -Five articles by Miller on his play, including "tragedy and the Common Man" and his "Introduction to Collected Plays" -Critical essays by John Gassner, Ivor Brown, Joseph A. Hynes, and others -General essays on Miller by William Weigand, Allan Seager, and others -Analogous works by Eudora Welty, Walter D. Moody, Tennessee Williams, and Irwin Shaw -The state designer's account, presented in selections from Designing for the Theatre by Jo Mielziner -An in-depth introduction by the editor, a chronology, a list …

Since it was first performed in 1949, Arthur Miller's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama about the tragic shortcomings of an American dreamer has been recognized as a milestone of the theatre. This Viking Critical Library edition of Death of a Salesman contains the complete text of the play, typescript facsimiles, and extensive critical and contextual material including:

-Conflicting review about its opening night by Robert Garland, Harold Clurman, Eleanor Clark, and others -Five articles by Miller on his play, including "tragedy and the Common Man" and his "Introduction to Collected Plays" -Critical essays by John Gassner, Ivor Brown, Joseph A. Hynes, and others -General essays on Miller by William Weigand, Allan Seager, and others -Analogous works by Eudora Welty, Walter D. Moody, Tennessee Williams, and Irwin Shaw -The state designer's account, presented in selections from Designing for the Theatre by Jo Mielziner -An in-depth introduction by the editor, a chronology, a list of topics for discussion and papers, and a biography (back cover)

44 editions

Maia@bookwyrm.social reviewed Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller

Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller

3 stars

A fairly powerful comment on the destructive powers of American dream, on consumerism and the relationship between a father and his sons. In parts a confusing play to read, as large sections are composed of memories and hallucinations that are signposted only by stage instructions, meaning it would be simpler to understand the play in action rather than on paper. Indeed I would like to see the play on stage as the set design and use of different elements (such as characters walking through walls during hallucinations and memories) is quite unusual! I am not an American, or remotely involved in the "travelling salesman" industry, so I can't really judge how accurately this play represents the lived experience in America. I can only see how the same emotions run through the minds of many who do not know which of the paths in life to follow: passions, dollars, expectations, or …

A fairly powerful comment on the destructive powers of American dream, on consumerism and the relationship between a father and his sons. In parts a confusing play to read, as large sections are composed of memories and hallucinations that are signposted only by stage instructions, meaning it would be simpler to understand the play in action rather than on paper. Indeed I would like to see the play on stage as the set design and use of different elements (such as characters walking through walls during hallucinations and memories) is quite unusual! I am not an American, or remotely involved in the "travelling salesman" industry, so I can't really judge how accurately this play represents the lived experience in America. I can only see how the same emotions run through the minds of many who do not know which of the paths in life to follow: passions, dollars, expectations, or a combination of the above. This play comes to a fairly singular conclusion as to which path you should follow (no prizes for guessing which!), and so it seems a well-worn tale in this theme of literature.