Written in 1949, Arthur Miller’s

is often considered to be based on the financial ruin of the author’s father after the 1929 stock market crash. It also was a direct response to the postwar growth of a “salesman” culture in America that saw products being sold door-to-door even in small towns. A harsh yet bittersweet critique of American life and its twisted value systems, the play was a hit from its very first performance and, despite its particular American flavor, has been staged successfully in various other foreign countries including Germany, Sweden and even in the non-capitalist venue of Communist China. Miller’s theatrical masterpiece has also demonstrated its relevance by influencing other “salesman” plays, notably David Mamet’s

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Citation: Meyer, Michael J.. "Death of a Salesman". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 23 January 2008 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=5692, accessed 25 November 2024.]