Death of a Salesman
Author: Arthur Miller Category: Drama Published: January 1, 1987 Language: English File Size: 1.5 MB Tags: Classics | drama | Fiction | Literature | Plays | School | Theatre | tradegy |Theme:
Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, Denial, contradiction, and the quest for order versus disorder comprise the three major themes of Death of a Salesman.
Summary:
It addresses loss of identity and a man’s inability to accept change within himself and society. The play is a montage of memories, dreams, confrontations, and arguments, all of which make up the last 24 hours of Willy Loman’s life.
Famous Quotes:
“Why am I trying to become what I don’t want to be? What am I doing in an office, making a contemptuous, begging fool of myself, when all I want is out there, waiting for me the minute I say I know who I am!”
“I’m gonna show you and everybody else that Willy Loman did not die in vain. He had a good dream. It’s the only dream you can have – to come out number-one man. He fought it out here, and this is where I’m gonna win it for him.”
“I’ve got to get some seeds. I’ve got to get some seeds, right away. Nothing’s planted. I don’t have a thing in the ground.”
“There’s more people! That’s what’s ruining this country! The competition is maddening! Smell the stink from that apartment house! And the one on the other side…”
“Never fight fair with a stranger, boy. You’ll never get out of the jungle that way.”
“Why must everybody conquer the world? You’re well liked and the boys love you and someday—why, old man Wagner told him just the other day that if he keeps it up he’ll be a member of the firm, didn’t he, Willy?”
“He’s liked, but he’s not well liked.”
“A small man can be just as exhausted as a great man.”
“They don’t need me in New York. I’m the New England man. I’m vital in New England.”
“I’ve always made a point of not wasting my life, and every time I come back here I know that all I’ve done is to waste my life.”
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