Arthur Millerb. 1915 d. 2005 (age of 89)

A short introduction to

his life and work

Playwright

Social commentator

Historical Elements

• WWI- 1914-1918

• Miller born 1915

• Stock Market Crash 1929

• Great Depression

• WWII- 1939-1945

• Communism and McCarthyism

Historical Elements

• McCarthyism– is the term describing a period of intense anti-

Communist suspicion in the United States that lasted roughly from late 1940s to late 1950s

– During this time, many Americans were subject to investigations

– The primary targets were government employees, educators, union activists,

– Many people lost jobs or were imprisoned

NY TIMES NEWS- June 22, 1956

• Arthur Miller told the “House Committee on UnAmerican Activities” that he signed many appeals and protests issued by Red Front groups in the last decade

• He denied that he had ever been “under Communist discipline”

Personal Information

• Born to Jewish immigrant parents • enrolled in the University of Michigan where he studied

writing and worked on a number of plays• Moved to New York after graduating and worked as a

freelance writer • Had a short marriage to actress Marilyn Monroe

• Information from http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/database/miller_a.html

Miller and wife Marilyn Monroe

ALL MY SONS- 1947

All My Sons

• Plans to stage the paly were met with opposition over its negative depiction of US culture

• Opened on Broadway Jan 29th, 1947

• Based on actual events!!!!

Miller’s Writing

• All My Sons- 1947

• Death of a Salesman- 1949

• The Crucible- 1953- regarding Salem Witch Trials (a commentary on McCarthyism?)

Miller’s Writing

• Miller often addressed issues that are present in everyday life

• His themes were often inspired by issues that the common American person would face

THEMES

• Social responsibility

• Denial

• Guilt

• Morality

• Moral plight of working class

• The desire to achieve the American dream and how it affected the actions of men

Themes- Morality

• Morality- a code of conduct which determines what is right and wrong in society

• Someone who is very moral differentiates between right and wrong and makes decisions based on those beliefs

Historical Background

• Get into a small group (5 groups total)

• Read your assigned piece and summarize the text in bullet points.

• Write this on the white-board and be prepared to present to the class.

Background of Play

• 3 ½ years ago, Larry Keller was MIA flying off the coast of China during WWII

• Joe Keller made aero engine parts for the war effort (Steve Keller is his deputy manager)

• Group of cylinder heads are cracked but are still sent out

• Weeks later, 21 planes crash killing the pilots

• Steve and Joe arrested and tried

• Joe convinces the court he knew nothing about it and Steve goes to jail.