Student companion to Arthur Miller / Susan C.W. Abbotson.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Abbotson, Susan C. W., 1961-

Series:

Student companions to classic writers.

Student companions to classic writers, 1522-7979

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Miller, Arthur, 1915-2005--Criticism and interpretation.

Miller, Arthur.

Miller, Arthur, 1915-2005--Examinations--Study guides.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (183 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Distribution:

London : Bloomsbury Publishing, 2024

Place of Publication:

Westport, Conn. : Greenwood Press, 2000.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

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.

Contents:

Cover

Contents

Series Foreword

Preface

1 The Life of Arthur Miller

CHILDHOOD

THE GREAT DEPRESSION

THE APPRENTICESHIP YEARS

PLAYWRIGHT OF THE YEAR

THE HOUSE UN-AMERICAN ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE AND MARILYN

THE HOLOCAUST AND PRESIDENCY OF POETS, ESSAYISTS, AND NOVELISTS (P.E.N.)

OTHER MAJOR PLAYS

FILM VERSIONS OF MILLER'S PLAYS

OTHER DIRECTIONS

WHY MILLER WRITES

2 Literary Heritage

LITERARY AND DRAMATIC PRECURSORS

HOW MILLER WRITES

MILLER'S DRAMATIC IMPACT

MILLER AND TRAGEDY

SUBJECTIVE REALISM

POETIC LANGUAGE

MILLER'S INFLUENCE ON OTHER WRITERS

COMMON MILLER THEMES

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PAST

LESSONS IN RESPONSIBILITY AND CONNECTION

THE FAMILY

CAPITALISM AND ANTIMATERIALISM

THE LAW

3 Tragedy: Death of a Salesman (1949)

SETTING AND PLOT DEVELOPMENT

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

THEMATIC ISSUES

LITERARY DEVICES AND CRAFT

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

ALTERNATE PERSPECTIVE: A FEMINIST READING

4 The Family: All My Sons (1947) and A View from the Bridge (1956)

ALL MY SONS (1947)

A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE (1956)

ALL MY SONS AND A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE

ALTERNATE PERSPECTIVE:A PSYCHOANALYTICAL READING

5 The Depression: The American Clock (1980)

ALTERNATE PERSPECTIVE: A MARXIST READING

6 The Holocaust: After the Fall (1964) and Broken Glass (1994)

AFTER THE FALL (1964)

BROKEN GLASS (1994)

SETTING AND PLOT DEVELOPMENT.

CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

THEMATIC ISSUES IN AFTER THE FALL AND BROKEN GLASS

ALTERNATE PERSPECTIVE: A READER-RESPONSE APPROACH

7 House Un-American Activities Committee: The Crucible (1953)

ALTERNATE PERSPECTIVE: A DECONSTRUCTIONIST READING

8 Continuing Concerns: The Ride Down Mt. Morgan (1991)

SOCIAL AND HISTORICAL CONTEXT

ALTERNATE PERSPECTIVE: A MYTHIC READING

Bibliography

PLAYS BY ARTHUR MILLER

SCREENPLAYS AND OTHER FICTION BY ARTHUR MILLER

ARTICLES, ESSAYS, AND OTHER NONFICTION BY ARTHUR MILLER

WORKS ABOUT ARTHUR MILLER

CRITICAL STUDIES

REVIEWS AND SELECTED CRITICISM

DEATH OF A SALESMAN

Reviews

Criticism

ALL MY SONS

A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE

THE AMERICAN CLOCK

THE CRUCIBLE

AFTER THE FALL

BROKEN GLASS

THE RIDE DOWN MT. MORGAN

RELATED SECONDARY SOURCES

Index

About the Author.

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references (p. [151]-162) and index.

ISBN:

9798216020240

9780313007316

0313007314

OCLC:

614594004