While contemporary writers no longer take on themselves the responsibility for defining what it means to be American, many continue to reflect on what Norman Mailer described as, “the forces now mounting in America,” and the “intensely peculiar American aspect” of contemporary life. In Death of a Salesman (act 1,2) those “mounting forces” suggest a world in change, if not in breakdown. Identify, analyze, and discuss the three most important cultural assessments/criticisms of American life found in Arthur Miller’s play.

While contemporary writers no longer take on themselves the responsibility for defining what it means to be American, many continue to reflect on what Norman Mailer described as, “the forces now mounting in America,” and the “intensely peculiar American aspect” of contemporary life. In Death of a Salesman (act 1,2) those “mounting forces” suggest a world in change, if not in breakdown. Identify, analyze, and discuss the three most important cultural assessments/criticisms of American life found in Arthur Miller’s play.