Arthur Miller - Biography - Life Story

Short Biographies2 minutes read

Arthur Miller, a renowned playwright, achieved fame with "Death of a Salesman" and faced financial struggles in his early life before pursuing a successful literary career with plays like "All My Sons" and "The Crucible." His work delves into themes of disillusionment, familial conflict, and historical events, showcasing his diverse talent as a writer.

Insights

  • Arthur Miller, a prolific playwright, achieved global recognition with his play "Death of a Salesman," winning prestigious awards like the Tony and Emmy, despite facing financial challenges during his upbringing in New York.
  • Miller's literary career, starting with early works like "The Great Disobedience," culminated in the Broadway success of "Death of a Salesman," a play exploring themes of disillusionment and family conflict, solidifying Miller's reputation as a versatile and impactful writer.

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Recent questions

  • What is Arthur Miller known for?

    Plays like "Death of a Salesman"

  • Where was Arthur Miller born?

    Harlem, New York

  • What inspired Arthur Miller's play "The Crucible"?

    Salem witch trials

  • When did Arthur Miller write "All My Sons"?

    1947

  • What themes are explored in Arthur Miller's works?

    Disillusionment and familial conflict

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Summary

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Arthur Miller: Playwright of Tragic American Realism

  • Arthur Miller, a renowned prose writer and playwright, gained global fame through his play "Death of a Salesman," accumulating numerous prestigious awards such as the Imperial Prize, Tony, Emmy, and Lawrence Olivier.
  • Born on October 17, 1915, in Harlem, New York, to Polish Jewish immigrant parents, Arthur Miller's father, Isidore, initially prospered as a factory owner but faced financial struggles during the Wall Street Crash, leading the family to move to Brooklyn.
  • Despite financial hardships, Arthur Miller worked diligently from a young age, delivering bread to support his family, eventually graduating from the University of Michigan in 1938 before starting his literary career.
  • Miller's literary journey began with plays like "The Great Disobedience" and "Listen, My Children," leading to his breakthrough with the play "All My Sons" in 1947, followed by the acclaimed "Death of a Salesman" in 1949, which became a Broadway hit.
  • "Death of a Salesman" portrays the tragic story of salesman Willy Loman, highlighting themes of disillusionment and familial conflict, culminating in Willy's tragic demise, which was later adapted into a film in 1951.
  • Apart from his theatrical success, Arthur Miller also wrote the play "The Crucible" in 1953, inspired by the Salem witch trials, and later produced works like "A View from the Bridge" in 1955 and "Incident at Vichy" in 1964, showcasing his diverse literary talent.
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