2. Contents
Why this book?
The author
The plot
Language and remarkable expressions

3. 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).

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

5. The Plot
Major Characters
Happy Linda
Conformist mysterious
Lives in his enigmatic
brother’s shadow
Willy Loman (The Salesman)
Biff childish
Inflated expectations self-deluded
Rebellious spirit a loser, a failure as a man
mentally degenerating

6. 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.

7. 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.