Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller

Death of a Salesman is a stage play written by Arthur Miller. It is a two-act tragedy set in 1940s New York, told through a montage of memories, dreams and arguments of its protagonist, Willy Loman, a traveling salesman disappointed with his life and slipping into senility.

The play contains a variety of themes, including the American Dream, the anatomy of truth and infidelity, and is considered by some critics to be one of the greatest plays of the twentieth century. A realistic tragedy critiquing the myths of American capitalism, Death of a Salesman was Arthur Miller's theatrical triumph, a classic of twentieth-century American theatre that received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

This book is featured on The Book Club with Michael Knowles, PragerU's show dedicated to the great books of Western civilization. In this episode, Michael Knowles is joined by actor and comedian Bryan Callen to discuss why Willy Loman remains such a powerful, tragic figure, whether the play is a critique of capitalism or a warning about personal dishonesty, and what it teaches about truth, ambition, family and responsibility.

📺 Watch the episode: Bryan Callen — Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller

Read Arthur Miller's Pulitzer Prize-winning tragedy of the American Dream, and discover why Willy Loman's story still challenges what we believe about truth, ambition and success.