# Death of a Salesman

> 1949 play by Arthur Miller

**Wikidata**: [Q820862](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q820862)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_a_Salesman)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/death-of-a-salesman

## Summary
Death of a Salesman is a 1949 play by the American playwright Arthur Miller. It is classified as a tragedy and a literary work, recognized for its exploration of human suffering and the catharsis it invokes in audiences.

## Key Facts
- **Publication Date:** 1949
- **Author:** Arthur Miller (1915–2005)
- **Genre:** Tragedy; Literary work
- **Country of Origin:** United States
- **Award:** Pulitzer Prize for Drama
- **Alternative Title:** Death of a salesman
- **Digital Footprint:** 42 sitelinks (indicating high cross-reference availability)

## FAQs
**Who wrote Death of a Salesman?**
The play was written by Arthur Miller, an American playwright and essayist active from 1915 to 2005.

**What type of drama is Death of a Salesman?**
It is a tragedy, defined as a form of drama based on human suffering that invokes an accompanying catharsis or pleasure in audiences.

**Has Death of a Salesman won any major awards?**
Yes, it received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, which is an American award specifically designated for distinguished plays.

**When was Death of a Salesman published?**
The work was published in 1949.

## Why It Matters
Death of a Salesman holds a significant place in American literature as a recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, marking it as a distinguished work within the theatrical canon. As a tragedy, it serves the critical function of examining human suffering, offering audiences a cathartic experience that is central to the dramatic arts. Its enduring status as a literary work ensures it continues to be read for enjoyment and edification, reflecting the cultural and social context of the United States during its inception.

## Notable For
- Winning the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
- Being a premier example of the tragedy genre in 20th-century American theater.
- Originating during the post-World War II era in the United States (1949).
- Authored by Arthur Miller, a figure with a high sitelink count (111), indicating substantial notoriety.

## Body

### Classification and Genre
Death of a Salesman is fundamentally a literary work, categorized as a written work intended to be read for enjoyment or edification. Within the broader scope of dramatic literature, it is specifically defined as a tragedy. This genre classification is significant because the work adheres to the dramatic form that centers on human suffering, intending to invoke an accompanying catharsis or pleasure in its audiences. The play is also known by the alias "Death of a salesman," reflecting variations in how the title is referenced across different contexts.

### Authorship and Creation
The play was created by Arthur Miller, a notable American playwright and essayist born in 1915 and deceased in 2005. Miller held citizenship in the United States, the country where the play originated. His professional background included diverse occupations, contributing to his status as a prominent figure in literature with a substantial digital footprint (111 sitelinks). The creation of Death of a Salesman is situated within the timeline of the United States, which had gained independence in 1776 and saw the Treaty of Paris ratified in 1784, providing the historical backdrop for the nation's cultural development.

### Awards and Recognition
The work achieved critical acclaim, most notably winning the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. This award is an American recognition given specifically for distinguished plays. The receipt of this award highlights the play's artistic merit and its distinction among other dramatic works of its time. The recognition is supported by the play's substantial presence in knowledge graphs, evidenced by a sitelink count of 42, which underscores its relevance and interconnectedness within the domain of literature and drama.

## References

1. National Library of Wales Catalogue
2. [Source](https://www.pulitzer.org/prize-winners-by-category/218)
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. [Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller | Open Library](https://openlibrary.org/works/OL66346W/Death_of_a_Salesman)
6. Virtual Study of Theatre Institute