“The only thing you've got in this world is what you can sell.”
Arthur Miller book Death of a Salesman
Source: Death of a Salesman
Quotes from bookDeath of a Salesman
Death of a Salesman is a 1949 stage play written by American playwright Arthur Miller. It won the 1949 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Tony Award for Best Play. The play premiered on Broadway in February 1949, running for 742 performances, and has been revived on Broadway four times, winning three Tony Awards for Best Revival. It is widely considered to be one of the greatest plays of the 20th century.
“A man is not a bird, to come and go with the springtime.”
Arthur Miller book Death of a Salesman
Source: Death of a Salesman
Arthur Miller book Death of a Salesman
Linda
Death of a Salesman (1949)
Context: I don't say he's a great man. Willy Loman never made a lot of money. His name was never in the paper. He's not the finest character that ever lived. But he's a human being, and a terrible thing is happening to him. So attention must be paid. He's not to be allowed to fall into his grave like an old dog. Attention, attention must be finally paid to such a person.
Arthur Miller book Death of a Salesman
Willy
Death of a Salesman (1949)
Source: Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman
“You can't eat the orange and throw the peel away — a man is not a piece of fruit.”
Arthur Miller book Death of a Salesman
Willy
Source: Death of a Salesman (1949)
“I realized what a ridiculous lie my whole life has been.”
Arthur Miller book Death of a Salesman
Source: Death of a Salesman
“A small man can be just as exhausted as a great man.”
Arthur Miller book Death of a Salesman
Linda
Source: Death of a Salesman (1949)
“A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory.”
Arthur Miller book Death of a Salesman
Charley
Death of a Salesman (1949)
Context: Nobody dast blame this man. Willy was a salesman. And for a salesman, there is no rock bottom to the life. He don't put a bolt to a nut, he don't tell you the law or give you medicine. He's a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back — that's an earthquake. And then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you're finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory.
“He's a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine.”
Arthur Miller book Death of a Salesman
Charley
Death of a Salesman (1949)
Context: Nobody dast blame this man. Willy was a salesman. And for a salesman, there is no rock bottom to the life. He don't put a bolt to a nut, he don't tell you the law or give you medicine. He's a man way out there in the blue, riding on a smile and a shoeshine. And when they start not smiling back — that's an earthquake. And then you get yourself a couple of spots on your hat, and you're finished. Nobody dast blame this man. A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory.
“Attention, attention must be finally paid to such a person.”
Arthur Miller book Death of a Salesman
Linda
Death of a Salesman (1949)
Context: I don't say he's a great man. Willy Loman never made a lot of money. His name was never in the paper. He's not the finest character that ever lived. But he's a human being, and a terrible thing is happening to him. So attention must be paid. He's not to be allowed to fall into his grave like an old dog. Attention, attention must be finally paid to such a person.
“Be loving to him. Because he’s only a little boat looking for a harbor.”
Arthur Miller book Death of a Salesman
Source: Death of a Salesman
