Death of a Salesman

Death of a Salesman is a 1949 play by Arthur Miller, his most famous and commonly revived work. Viewed by many as a caustic attack on the American Dream of success through economic enterprise, it made both Arthur Miller and lead character Willy Loman household names. It was greeted with enthusiastic reviews, received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 1949, and turned Miller into a national sensation as a playwright.

Requiem

Miller's views on the American Dream are clearly demonstrated throughout the play, but especially in the Requiem. Charley's speach, beginning 'Nobody dast blame this man.' sums up the play, and is a fantastic source to quote.

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'He don't put a bolt to a nut, he don't tell you the law or give you medicine.' Here, Miller is explaining that being a Salesman does not have a fulfilling role in life. They are not part of something with potential. Building, applying the law and healing the sick are all fulfilling careers, unlike being a Salesmen.

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'He's a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back-that's an earthquake.' This is saying that the career is materialistic. All based on looks and the success of persuasion. And if the buyers stop buying, you have nothing left to fall back on, and there is an 'earthquake'

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'A salesman has got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory.' This quote is explaining that without a dream, or a purpose, the salesman ceases to exist. The dream is to sell, and if they can't sell, then they are finished. The final sentence of the speech says that salesmen have to dream, otherwise they are a failure. However, dreaming is not enough, if they can't fulfil their dream, they end up in a situation like Willy.

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