Books Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller (Author)

Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller is a tragic play centered on Willy Loman, an aging traveling salesman struggling with his fading career and unfulfilled dreams of success. Set in late 1940s Brooklyn, the story explores themes of the American Dream, identity, family dynamics, and the harsh realities of life.

Willy returns home exhausted after a failed sales trip, grappling with his belief in personal charisma as the key to success. He is disillusioned by his sons, particularly Biff, who has lost direction after discovering his father’s infidelity years earlier. The play reveals Willy's psychological decline as he revisits memories and confronts his failures.

Willy's hopes and delusions culminate in his decision to commit suicide in order to provide his family with life insurance money, believing he is worth more dead than alive. The play ends with his funeral, where the family wrestles with loss and the shattered ideal of prosperity.