Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/1-1-1-author

[Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [A Level](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level.md) › [English Lit](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature.md) › [AQA](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa.md) › [English Lit: AQA A Level Death of a Salesman](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman.md) › Author

# Author

English Lit: AQA A Level Death of a Salesman, topic 1.1.1

## Introduction to the Author: Early Life

Arthur Miller is one of the most celebrated American playwrights of the 20th Century.

### Early life

![Early life](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/5b517a75-ca6f-4107-b8c7-b35de09e6f8c/jewish-star.jpg)

- Miller was born in 1915 to a middle-class Jewish family in New York City. 
- He grew up in the neighbourhood of Brooklyn, his once-comfortable family struggling to cope financially after the onset of the Great Depression in the early 1930s.

### Personal influences

![Personal influences](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/memory-location-images/New%20York,%20USA-min.jpg)

- This experience of early poverty and struggle helped shape Miller’s worldview.
- His plays often explore the overwhelming economic and political forces which affect the fortunes of ordinary individuals trying, and at times tragically failing, to make their way in the world.

### _All My Sons_

![_All My Sons_](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/aed959a1-360e-4522-a016-56df9f9cf64f/soldier-world-war-1.jpg)

- Miller’s first stage success came in 1947 with _All My Sons_, a drama exploring one family’s turmoil after one of its sons is listed as ‘missing in action’ while fighting in World War 2. 
- The play resonated with American audiences, many of whom had suffered their own wartime losses.

### _Death of a Salesman (1949)_

![_Death of a Salesman (1949)_](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/121add61-7158-4638-83c9-24ed9daef81a/statue-of-liberty-267948_1920.jpg)

- Miller’s next play, _Death of a Salesman (1949)_, was an even bigger Broadway hit, earning him the Pulitzer Prize and national fame. 
- Again, Miller had caught the mood of American audiences with a tale of one man’s struggles to fulfil his dreams in a rapidly changing society.

## Introduction to the Author: Later Life

After the success of _Death of a Salesman_, Miller became a prominent figure in American life during the 1950s.

### Rise to prominence

![Rise to prominence](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/2a7e997d-f7a8-46ca-9c91-b166b34330ea/shutterstock_133378736.jpg)

- Miller married Marilyn Monroe, the most famous actress of the day, in 1956.
- The success of plays such as _The Crucible (1953)_ and _A View from the Bridge (1955)_ confirmed his reputation as a powerful social commentator.

### Communism

![Communism](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/1c51b4e3-0599-43c4-85fd-5005b8eea90b/communist-flag-.jpg)

- In 1952 Miller was called before the House of Un-American Activities, accused of being a Communist sympathiser. 
- Despite the pressure placed upon him, he refused to give the names of friends to the committee, leading to his own punishment.

### International recognition

![International recognition](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/a34d11e9-6a80-4e24-86ee-fb740ffcb2c9/freedom-release-free-handcuff.jpg)

- Miller’s courage and principles earned him international respect and he became an outspoken defender of freedom for his fellow writers around the world.

### Death

![Death](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/7eec7829-2b23-4d75-bb2c-ff458a6e3530/graveyard.gravestone.death.burial.jpg)

- Miller died at his home in Connecticut in 2005.

## Test yourself on Author

- When was Arthur Miller born?
- Which prize did _Death of a Salesman (1949)_ win?
- When and where did Arthur Miller die?

[Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/0ea58589-a992-4e79-bf61-475395194436/section/f5ebe19e-46c8-4b50-ac43-e5e4129e2828/session)

- Next topic: [1.1.2 Historical Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/1-1-2-historical-context.md)

## English Lit: AQA A Level Death of a Salesman contents

### 1 Introduction
- 1.1 Introductions
  - [1.1.1 Author](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/1-1-1-author.md)
  - [1.1.2 Historical Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/1-1-2-historical-context.md)
  - [1.1.3 Setting](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/1-1-3-setting.md)
  - [1.1.4 Social Issues](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/1-1-4-social-issues.md)

### 2 Act One
- 2.1 Key Events
  - [2.1.1 Staging](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/2-1-1-staging.md)
  - [2.1.2 Key Events 1&2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/2-1-2-key-events-1and2.md)
  - [2.1.3 Key Events 3&4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/2-1-3-key-events-3and4.md)
  - [2.1.4 Key Events 5&6](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/2-1-4-key-events-5and6.md)
  - [2.1.5 Key Events 7&8](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/2-1-5-key-events-7and8.md)
  - [2.1.6 Key Events 9&10](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/2-1-6-key-events-9and10.md)
  - [2.1.7 Key Events 11&12](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/2-1-7-key-events-11and12.md)
- 2.2 Key Themes & Literary Techniques
  - [2.2.1 Foreshadowing, Flashbacks, Settings](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/2-2-1-foreshadowing-flashbacks-settings.md)
  - [2.2.2 Family, Reality, Fantasy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/2-2-2-family-reality-fantasy.md)

### 3 Act Two
- 3.1 Key Events
  - [3.1.1 Key Events 1&2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/3-1-1-key-events-1and2.md)
  - [3.1.2 Key Events 3&4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/3-1-2-key-events-3and4.md)
  - [3.1.3 Key Events 5&6](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/3-1-3-key-events-5and6.md)
  - [3.1.4 Key Events 7&8](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/3-1-4-key-events-7and8.md)
  - [3.1.5 Key Events 9&10](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/3-1-5-key-events-9and10.md)
- 3.2 Key Themes & Links
  - [3.2.1 Pride](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/3-2-1-pride.md)
  - [3.2.2 Metaphor](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/3-2-2-metaphor.md)
  - [3.2.3 Self-Realisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/3-2-3-self-realisation.md)

### 4 Extended Passage Analysis
- 4.1 Act One
  - [4.1.1 Staging](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/4-1-1-staging.md)
  - [4.1.2 The Woman](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/4-1-2-the-woman.md)
- 4.2 Act Two
  - [4.2.1 In Howard’s Office](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/4-2-1-in-howards-office.md)
  - [4.2.2 The Final Confrontation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/4-2-2-the-final-confrontation.md)
  - [4.2.3 The Requiem](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/4-2-3-the-requiem.md)

### 5 Character Profiles
- 5.1 Willy & Linda Loman
  - [5.1.1 Willy Loman](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/5-1-1-willy-loman.md)
  - [5.1.2 Linda Loman](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/5-1-2-linda-loman.md)
- 5.2 Biff & Happy Loman
  - [5.2.1 Biff Loman](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/5-2-1-biff-loman.md)
  - [5.2.2 Biff's Relationship with Willy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/5-2-2-biffs-relationship-with-willy.md)
  - [5.2.3 Happy Loman](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/5-2-3-happy-loman.md)
- 5.3 Other Characters
  - [5.3.1 Uncle Ben](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/5-3-1-uncle-ben.md)
  - [5.3.2 Charley](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/5-3-2-charley.md)
  - [5.3.3 Bernard](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/5-3-3-bernard.md)

### 6 Key Themes
- 6.1 Concepts
  - [6.1.1 The American Dream](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/6-1-1-the-american-dream.md)
  - [6.1.2 Fathers & Sons](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/6-1-2-fathers-and-sons.md)
  - [6.1.3 Nature & the City](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/6-1-3-nature-and-the-city.md)
  - [6.1.4 Success](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/6-1-4-success.md)
  - [6.1.5 Men & Women](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/6-1-5-men-and-women.md)

### 7 Writing Techniques
- 7.1 Structure
  - [7.1.1 Act One](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/7-1-1-act-one.md)
  - [7.1.2 Act Two](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/7-1-2-act-two.md)
- 7.2 Realism
  - [7.2.1 Introduction](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/7-2-1-introduction.md)
  - [7.2.2 Staging](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/7-2-2-staging.md)
  - [7.2.3 Language](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/7-2-3-language.md)
- 7.3 Expressionism
  - [7.3.1 Introduction](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/7-3-1-introduction.md)
  - [7.3.2 Staging](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/7-3-2-staging.md)
  - [7.3.3 Music](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/7-3-3-music.md)
- 7.4 Symbolism
  - [7.4.1 The Garden / Seeds](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/7-4-1-the-garden-seeds.md)
  - [7.4.2 Diamonds](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/7-4-2-diamonds.md)
  - [7.4.3 Alaska & Africa](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/7-4-3-alaska-and-africa.md)
- 7.5 Motifs
  - [7.5.1 Introduction](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/7-5-1-introduction.md)
  - [7.5.2 Cars](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/7-5-2-cars.md)
  - [7.5.3 Silk Stockings](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/7-5-3-silk-stockings.md)
  - [7.5.4 Money](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/7-5-4-money.md)
  - [7.5.5 Mythological Figures](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/7-5-5-mythological-figures.md)

### 8 Historical Context
- 8.1 Historical Context
  - [8.1.1 Miller’s Family & The Great Depression](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/8-1-1-millers-family-and-the-great-depression.md)
  - [8.1.2 America’s Recovery](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/8-1-2-americas-recovery.md)

### 9 Literary Context
- 9.1 Tragedy
  - [9.1.1 Introduction](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/9-1-1-introduction.md)
- 9.2 Applying Tragic Concepts
  - [9.2.1 The Tragic Hero](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/9-2-1-the-tragic-hero.md)
  - [9.2.2 The Tragic Flaw](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/9-2-2-the-tragic-flaw.md)
  - [9.2.3 Recognition](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/9-2-3-recognition.md)
  - [9.2.4 Emotional Release](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/9-2-4-emotional-release.md)
  - [9.2.5 Chaos & Disorder](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/9-2-5-chaos-and-disorder.md)
  - [9.2.6 Revenge](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/9-2-6-revenge.md)
  - [9.2.7 Inevitability](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/9-2-7-inevitability.md)

### 10 Critical Debates
- 10.1 Introduction
  - [10.1.1 Introduction](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/10-1-1-introduction.md)
- 10.2 The Marxist Reading
  - [10.2.1 Marxist Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/10-2-1-marxist-analysis.md)
  - [10.2.2 The Marxist Reading](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/10-2-2-the-marxist-reading.md)
- 10.3 The Feminist Reading
  - [10.3.1 Feminist Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/10-3-1-feminist-analysis.md)
  - [10.3.2 The Feminist Reading](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/10-3-2-the-feminist-reading.md)
- 10.4 The Eco-Critical Reading
  - [10.4.1 Eco-Critical Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/10-4-1-eco-critical-analysis.md)
  - [10.4.2 The Eco-Critical Reading](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/10-4-2-the-eco-critical-reading.md)
  - [10.4.3 Post-pastoral](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/10-4-3-post-pastoral.md)
- 10.5 Other Debates
  - [10.5.1 The Play as Tragedy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/10-5-1-the-play-as-tragedy.md)
  - [10.5.2 The Critics](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/10-5-2-the-critics.md)

### 11 Recap: Main Quotes
- 11.1 Characters Quotes
  - [11.1.1 Willy Loman](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/11-1-1-willy-loman.md)
  - [11.1.2 Linda Loman](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/11-1-2-linda-loman.md)
  - [11.1.3 Biff Loman](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/11-1-3-biff-loman.md)
  - [11.1.4 Happy Loman](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/11-1-4-happy-loman.md)
  - [11.1.5 Uncle Ben](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/11-1-5-uncle-ben.md)
  - [11.1.6 Charley](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/11-1-6-charley.md)
  - [11.1.7 Bernard](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/11-1-7-bernard.md)
- 11.2 Quotes by Act
  - [11.2.1 Act One: Key Events 1-3 Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/11-2-1-act-one-key-events-1-3-quotes.md)
  - [11.2.2 Act One: Key Events 4-6 Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/11-2-2-act-one-key-events-4-6-quotes.md)
  - [11.2.3 Act One: Key Events 7-9 Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/11-2-3-act-one-key-events-7-9-quotes.md)
  - [11.2.4 Act One: Key Events 10-12 Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/11-2-4-act-one-key-events-10-12-quotes.md)
  - [11.2.5 Act One: Stage Direction Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/11-2-5-act-one-stage-direction-quotes.md)
  - [11.2.6 Act One: The Woman Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/11-2-6-act-one-the-woman-quotes.md)
  - [11.2.7 Act Two: Key Events 1-2 Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/11-2-7-act-two-key-events-1-2-quotes.md)
  - [11.2.8 Act Two: Key Events 3-4 Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/11-2-8-act-two-key-events-3-4-quotes.md)
  - [11.2.9 Act Two: Key Events 5-6 Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/11-2-9-act-two-key-events-5-6-quotes.md)
  - [11.2.10 Act Two: Key Events 7-8 Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/11-2-10-act-two-key-events-7-8-quotes.md)
  - [11.2.11 Act Two: Key Events 9-10 Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/11-2-11-act-two-key-events-9-10-quotes.md)
  - [11.2.12 Act Two: Howard's Office Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/11-2-12-act-two-howards-office-quotes.md)
  - [11.2.13 Act Two: The Requiem Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/11-2-13-act-two-the-requiem-quotes.md)