"Certain Private Conversations": Miller's Death of a Salesman Correspondence

This article examines Arthur Miller's correspondence to further explore the dramaturgy and legacy of Death of a Salesman. Drawing on the Arthur Miller Papers held at the University of Texas at Austin's Harry Ransom Center, the article analyzes the notes, letters, and telegrams the playwright accumulated over his lifetime. Within twelve months of Salesman opening on Broadway, Miller received more than a thousand letters discussing the play, and this correspondence only increased as Willy Loman's tragedy appeared on stages across the world. Along with fan mail, Miller's correspondence includes exchanges with actors, directors, and producers. Collectively, these archival documents illuminate his dramaturgy, his relationship with artistic collaborators, and the global impact of Salesman on readers and audiences over decades.