Contents

Why this book?

The author

The plot

Language and remarkable expressions

The Author

Arthur Miller (1915-2005)

He was an American playwright and essayist.

Prominent figure in American theatre, writing dramas that include plays such as “All my sons” (1947), “Death of a Salesman” (1949), “The Crucible” (1953) and “A view from the Bridge” (1955-56).

He was often in the public eye, particularly during the late 1940s, 1950s, and early 1960s.

He received the Pulitzer prize for drama (1949) and the Prince of Asturias award (2002).

He was married to Marilyn Monroe (1956-1961).

The Plot

Willy Loman (The Salesman)childish

self-deluded

a loser, a failure as a man

mentally degenerating

Lindamysterious

enigmatic

BiffInflated expectations

Rebellious spirit

HappyConformist

Lives in his

brother’s shadow

Major Characters

Main Ideas

•Willy’s state of mind (his mental degeneration) and his working conditions

and dismissal.

•Willy’s image as an American anti-hero. (consumerism and materialism).

•Willy’s relationship with his son Biff.

Language

Register: Informal English with emphasis on middle-class American lingo.

Expressions

Gee (interjection): An expression of surprise of enthusiasm.

(to) be tired to the death

(to) be a pest: Be a annoying person, specially a child.

“Coulda”= could have

Crestfallen: disappointed and sad because of having failed in something.

(to) fade away: to slowly disappear, lose importance or become weaker.

To flunk: to fail an examination or course of study.

“Gotta” = (have) go to

“Kinda”= kind of

Knock’em dead: used to tell someone to perform or play as well as they can.

“Lotta”= lot of

(to) make a point of doing sth: to always do something or to take particular care to do something.

Mixed-up = confused

“Shoulda”= should have

Well-liked: liked by many people.

Wire: telegram

“You make mountains out of molehills”: to make a slight difficulty seem like a serious problem.