Preview

How Did Arthur Miller Influence American History

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
895 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
How Did Arthur Miller Influence American History
Arthur Miller was an American Playwright who wrote some of the most influential pieces of literature in American History. He was an influence to many other authors. He was very dedicated to his work, and would not give up no matter how difficult the situation. Arthur Miller was easily one of the best authors in American history. The early life of Arthur Miller was a struggle, just as it was for many other Americans living during the Great Depression. Arthur Miller was born on October 17, 1915 in New York City. He was the son of Jewish-American parents Isidore and Augusta Miller (Famousauthors.org). The Great Depression hit the Miller family hard in 1929, and as a result the family's garmet manufacturing service began to fail. The family was …show more content…
It was there where Arthur worked on his first major play The Man Who Had it All. It opened up to the public in 1944, but recieved horrible reviews (PBS). In fact, according to NewWorldEncyclopedia.org, the play only ran for four performances before it was removed! Arthur was determined to be a success though. He started writing a new play, and made sure this play would appeal to America. He released his first Broadway play, All My Sons (PBS.org). It was an instant hit with the people, and was performed numerous times on Broadway. Miller had released his first masterpiece. Though one piece of literature that influences the world is a feat many cannot achieve, a good author does not only release one piece of literature that changes the world, and Arthur was determined to be a great author. Two years after he released All My Sons, he came out with one of the most influencial plays in American History. This play was named Death Of a Salesman (NewWorld Enyclopedia.org). Death Of a Salesman had similar characteristics that can be associated with Miller's early life. The play is about a buisnessman who has gone under after economic hardship occurs and how he is attempting to reconstruct his life (PBS.org). It is closely related to the situation that the Miller family had endured during the Great Depression. Death Of a Salesman was very popular with the people. PBS.org …show more content…
Arthur went through multiple marriages and divorces. His first of three marriages was with Grace Slattery in 1940. After being caught in an affair, the two divorced in 1956. Arthur's second marriage was with Marilyn Monroe. Marilyn was an icon to the American people, and so was Miller. They married in 1956, but divorced five years later in 1961. Just a year later, in 1962, Arthur Miller married Ingeburg Morath, and remained married for the remainder of his life (Famousauthors.org). According to PBS.org, Arthur wrote more short storys and plays for some of the 1970's and up, but none of which where as inspring and eye-opening as his previous pieces of literature. Arthur Miller died February, 10, 2005, and with him a passion for writing that would influence many future American

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Powerful Essays

    Primary source. The main point this quote serves is to show that Lewis and Clark were not racist at all, and in fact did not mind the company of other races. Information is reliable, has been known for a long time and was written by a reliable source. Fits rather well into the argument of racial acceptance being a little more popular after Lewis and Clark acknowledged that not only white people are…

    • 2784 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    fancied Abigail”. A few moments later she finally states that “Proctor did not turn from…

    • 650 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Ray Bradbury along with Arthur Miller both influenced their writing by extreme inspiration from past events, hence exposed their timeless pieces of work known today. The Red hunt was an act focusing on eliminating communism within Hollywood entertainment and was led by the House Un-American Activities Committee and Senator Joseph McCarthy. This occurrence had an impact on The Crucible written by Arthur Miller based on his opinion of the Red Hunt, Miller “ Wished very much to put McCarthy on stage. The thought that the state lost its mind and was punishing so many innocent people was intolerable. Arthur Miller was furious, therefore he put his motive into action by wanting people to be aware and conscious of the situation. Ray Bradbury also…

    • 249 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    During the Antebellum Period, our patriotic nation had fifteen leaders take office in the White House. Each president carved out a path for the country we have today, but one that was undisputably distinguishable from the rest; was George Washington. He endured catastrophes with poise, was an advocate for equal justice, a believer in ensuring a more perfect union, and an accomplished gentleman that was the imposing influence of America.…

    • 70 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Glenn miller

    • 2056 Words
    • 9 Pages

    Glenn Miller was born on a farm in Iowa on March 1, 1901. He is remembered today not…

    • 2056 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Arthur Miller is an American playwright who started writing “the hook” which is about union corruptions on the Brooklyn waterfront. Then he started writing The Crucible which is about a troubled young girl named Abigail Williams, who had an affair with John Proctor in his 30s, and the witch trials. He also wrote The Crucible during the communism time and during the “Hitler speech, hoping to give them a sense of the Nazi which my play took place.” The article allegory was about how Arthur Miller against McCarthyism, and how John Proctor and Arthur Miller are alike.…

    • 624 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Alexander Hamilton helped shape America as a founding father, in ways such as politics and government. One of the most famous quotes from him is “Those who stand for nothing fall for anything” (Alexander Hamilton). Born on the small West British Indies island of Nevis, Alexander was made to be a historical figure of importance. He had shown signs of great intelligence starting after a hurricane hit his hometown, and he wrote essays non-stop. He was one of the hardest working founding fathers of America, who did a lot for our country. Without him, the U.S. Constitution might not be, since alongside John Jay and James Madison, they wrote eighty-five essays amongst themselves, defending it. He contributed the other fifty-one essays to what…

    • 368 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Arthur Miller has had a great many successful and well-known plays, most notably The Crucible. Miller’s play “The Crucible” is actually based on the witch hunt that went on looking for communists and communist sympathizers in the writing and acting community in the 50’s, but set in Salem in 1692. After the play opened in 1953, the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) took an interest in the play writer. And in 1954they denied him a passport so that he could go to London, England where he play was scheduled to open. However, being married to Marilyn Monroe did seem to “help” the play write out.…

    • 479 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Many critics see Arthur Miller as the greatest dramatist of the 20th century. His most famous play was established in 1953 it was known as The Crucible. The play becomes an extended metaphor that explores the societal effects of false accusations mass hysteria and the destructive results of most mentality. One of the most important characters in The Crucible is Elizabeth Proctor. Her jealousy and suspicion traits are extremely obvious throughout the play; however, in the end she proves to be a woman of great character and integrity.…

    • 668 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Mary Warren

    • 1436 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Arthur Miller was a play write in the early 1900’s, and one of his most famous plays was The Crucible. He was born October 17, 1915 in Harlem New York and died February 10th.Because of his Jewish faith and political views; Miller was involved in contemporary debates that criticized America’s shortcomings. He was also a very wealth and respected man in his community. He wrote The Crucible play during the Red Scare and the play as based off of that whole event. The Crucible was about the Salem witch trials and the people that were involved and accused. He used his play to show his feelings on what was happening around him and explain how ridiculous and hectic it was.…

    • 1436 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Miller, Arthur. “Tragedy and the Common Man.” Miller, Arthur. The Theater Essays of Arthur. Viking Press, 1978. 3-7.…

    • 633 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Arthur Miller accomplished many great works in his lifetime. He was one of the most prominent writers of the 20th century for historical fiction. His works will live on for years to come. For example, his most popular works, The Crucible and Death of a Salesman. Arthur Miller early experiences, helped shaped his novels and future life decisions.…

    • 658 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Modern Day Tragic Heroes

    • 1528 Words
    • 7 Pages

    Bierman, Judah, James Hart, and Stanley Johnson. "Arthur Miller: Death of a Salesman." Death of a Salesman: Text and Criticism, ed. Gerald Weales. New York: Penguin, 1996. 265-271. Print.…

    • 1528 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    “The Crucible,” a play by Arthur Miller later turned into a major Hollywood movie, explores the politics of fear, social norms, and the fight to recapture a man’s moral compass. Miller paints his story using the small tight knit community of Salem circa 1692 as his canvass, brilliantly weaving historical fact and fiction to portray a scenario not unlike events seen since. The infamous witch hunts of 1692 and wild accusations of a subversive culture that threatened to tear away at the fabric of society are at the center of the film. Originally conceived in the 1950’s during the red scare, it is well known and accepted that Miller sought to highlight the similarities with the ongoing persecutions of accused communist sympathizers. The mass hysteria and destruction of the individual at the hand of society’s values reflected in the play perfectly encapsulated the atmosphere of 1950’s America. Miller’s thought provoking play was viewed then with much criticism, drawing the ire of the Right, due to its implied message of hypocrisy and subconsciously questioning what he viewed as malfeasance. But does Miller’s “The Crucible” still resonate today? I will argue that it does. In doing so, I feel it is imperative to try and understand the initial reaction to the play and how it mirrored the times. I will then look for similarities in the present day citing examples from the past eight years in particular. There are three main attributes of “The Crucible” that I will be focusing on which include fear tactics, power struggles, and challenge to conformity. In examining these within the context of the play I will seek to draw parallels not only with the 1950’s but present day America as well.…

    • 1963 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Crucible and Fear

    • 828 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Throughout history, hysteria has proven to be a mass motivator and driving force behind many societies. Arthur Miller was born right after WWI; however he was able to see the affect it had on his family. In 1929, he was able to see closely the affects of mass hysteria when the stock market crashed and caused his family to lose their home. While attending college, Miller switched his major from Journalism to English at the University of Michigan, and eventually wrote The Crucible (Arthur Miller Biography, Galvin).…

    • 828 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays