Student Companion to Arthur Miller: (Student Companions to Classic Writers)

This critical introduction to Arthur Miller provides an indispensable aid for students and general readers to understand the depth and complexity of some of America's most important dramatic works. Beginning with a discussion of his life, this work traces not only Miller's theatrical career, but his formulative experiences with the Great Depression, the Holocaust, and the House Un-American Activities Committee. Detailed discussions of eight important plays are organized around the social and moral themes Miller derived from such events; these themes are evident in such works as Death of A Salesman, The Crucible, A View from the Bridge, and All My Sons. By placing Miller, within the context of his times, this discussion reveals how he was influenced by and reacted to the major events in his own life and in American culture. Analysis of his more recent works such as The American Clock, Broken Glass and The Ride Down Mt. Morgan illustrate the consistency of Miller's strong moral vision, and his continuing innovative contributions to American theatre. A fascinating biographical chapter takes readers from Miller's childhood, through the Depression years, through three marriages; and from his theatrical apprenticeship, to eventual fame and critical acclaim for his plays and other literary and cinematic projects. The literary heritage chapter outlines Miller's literary and dramatic precursors, and considers the major aspects of his dramatic impact. The six chapters discussing his major plays are systematically presented to allow the reader to easily grasp the intricacies of their plots, characterizations, stylistic devices, and themes. In addition, each chapter offers a view of the social and/or historical context that influenced the plays' thematic development, as well as an alternate critical reading that demonstrates the richness of Miller's work. Lastly, the bibliography provides information on Miller's published works, including his screenplays and essays, biographical information, selected general criticism, and both contemporary reviews and critical studies of the plays discussed. Cover 1 Contents 8 Series Foreword 10 Preface 12 1 The Life of Arthur Miller 14 CHILDHOOD 15 THE GREAT DEPRESSION 16 THE APPRENTICESHIP YEARS 17 PLAYWRIGHT OF THE YEAR 19 THE HOUSE UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE AND MARILYN 21 THE HOLOCAUST AND PRESIDENCY OF POETS, ESSAYISTS, AND NOVELISTS (P.E.N.) 25 OTHER MAJOR PLAYS 27 FILM VERSIONS OF MILLER’S PLAYS 28 OTHER DIRECTIONS 29 WHY MILLER WRITES 30 2 Literary Heritage 32 LITERARY AND DRAMATIC PRECURSORS 32 HOW MILLER WRITES 36 MILLER’S DRAMATIC IMPACT 37 MILLER AND TRAGEDY 38 SUBJECTIVE REALISM 38 POETIC LANGUAGE 39 MILLER’S INFLUENCE ON OTHER WRITERS 39 COMMON MILLER THEMES 41 THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PAST 42 LESSONS IN RESPONSIBILITY AND CONNECTION 42 THE FAMILY 43 CAPITALISM AND ANTIMATERIALISM 44 THE LAW 45 3 Tragedy: Death of a Salesman (1949) 48 SETTING AND PLOT DEVELOPMENT 49 CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT 56 THEMATIC ISSUES 59 LITERARY DEVICES AND CRAFT 63 HISTORICAL CONTEXT 64 ALTERNATE PERSPECTIVE: A FEMINIST READING 65 4 The Family: All My Sons (1947) and A View from the Bridge (1956) 68 ALL MY SONS (1947) 69 SETTING AND PLOT DEVELOPMENT 69 CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT 73 HISTORICAL CONTEXT 75 A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE (1956) 76 SETTING AND PLOT DEVELOPMENT 77 CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT 80 HISTORICAL CONTEXT 82 ALL MY SONS AND A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE 83 THEMATIC ISSUES 83 LITERARY DEVICES AND CRAFT 86 ALTERNATE PERSPECTIVE:A PSYCHOANALYTICAL READING 87 5 The Depression: The American Clock (1980) 90 SETTING AND PLOT DEVELOPMENT 91 CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT 96 THEMATIC ISSUES 99 HISTORICAL CONTEXT 101 LITERARY DEVICES AND CRAFT 102 ALTERNATE PERSPECTIVE: A MARXIST READING 103 6 The Holocaust: After the Fall (1964) and Broken Glass (1994) 106 AFTER THE FALL (1964) 106 SETTING AND PLOT DEVELOPMENT 107 CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT 110 HISTORICAL CONTEXT 113 BROKEN GLASS (1994) 114 SETTING AND PLOT DEVELOPMENT 114 CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT 119 HISTORICAL CONTEXT 121 THEMATIC ISSUES IN AFTER THE FALL AND BROKEN GLASS 123 LITERARY DEVICES AND CRAFT 124 ALTERNATE PERSPECTIVE: A READER-RESPONSE APPROACH 126 7 House Un-American Activities Committee: The Crucible (1953) 130 SETTING AND PLOT DEVELOPMENT 131 CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT 138 THEMATIC ISSUES 142 HISTORICAL CONTEXT 144 LITERARY DEVICES AND CRAFT 145 ALTERNATE PERSPECTIVE: A DECONSTRUCTIONIST READING 147 8 Continuing Concerns: The Ride Down Mt. Morgan (1991) 150 SETTING AND PLOT DEVELOPMENT 151 CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT 154 SOCIAL AND HISTORICAL CONTEXT 157 THEMATIC ISSUES 158 LITERARY DEVICES AND CRAFT 160 ALTERNATE PERSPECTIVE: A MYTHIC READING 161 Bibliography 164 PLAYS BY ARTHUR MILLER 164 SCREENPLAYS AND OTHER FICTION BY ARTHUR MILLER 165 ARTICLES, ESSAYS, AND OTHER NONFICTION BY ARTHUR MILLER 165 WORKS ABOUT ARTHUR MILLER 165 CRITICAL STUDIES 166 REVIEWS AND SELECTED CRITICISM 167 DEATH OF A SALESMAN 167 Reviews 167 Criticism 168 ALL MY SONS 169 Reviews 169 Criticism 169 A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE 170 Reviews 170 Criticism 170 THE AMERICAN CLOCK 171 Reviews 171 Criticism 171 THE CRUCIBLE 171 Reviews 171 Criticism 172 AFTER THE FALL 172 Reviews 172 Criticism 173 BROKEN GLASS 173 Reviews 173 Criticism 174 THE RIDE DOWN MT. MORGAN 174 Reviews 174 Criticism 175 RELATED SECONDARY SOURCES 175 Index 176 About the Author 184

guides The Reader Through The Life And Work, As Well As Eight Major Plays Of One Of America's Foremost Playwrights, Arthur Miller.

school Library Journal

gr 10 Up-this Well-organized And Well-written Volume Provides Useful, Reliable Information. Abbotson Describes Miller's Youth, Particularly The Impact Of The Great Depression On His Family; His Educational Background; Early Success As A Playwright; The Effect Of The House Un-american Activities Committee On His Career; And A Wealth Of Personal Facts, Including His Marriage To Marilyn Monroe. The Biographical Section Is Followed By A Detailed And Unbiased Discussion Of Eight Of Miller's Major Plays That Incorporates The Impact Of Other Literature And Historical Events On His Work And Links Themes, Language, And Characters To Events And Periods In The Writer's Life. Chapters On Each Play Address The Development Of Setting And Plot, Characters, And Point Of View; Provide A Historical Context; And Touch On Other Relevant Literary Devices. A Bibliography Of Miller's Plays And Other Works, As Well As Extensive Listings Of Critical Studies, Reviews, And Criticisms Complete The Text. Students Will Find This Comprehensive Resource Satisfying And Thought-provoking.-susan Shaver, Hemingford Public Schools, Ne Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.

Series Foreword Preface The Life and Career of Arthur Miller Arthur Miller's Literary Heritage Tragedy: Death of a Salesman (1949) The Family: All My Sons (1947) and A View from the Bridge (1956) The Depression: The American Clock (1980) The Holocaust: After the Fall (1964) and Broken Glass (1994) House Un-American Activities Committee: The Crucible (1953) Continuing Concerns: The Ride Down Mt. Morgan (1991) Bibliography Index Examines Arthur Miller's life, his literary heritage, and eight works from "All my Sons" to "The Ride Down Mt. Morgan," discusses literary style, points of view, and setting, and offers analyses from different critical approaches.