Arthur Miller book summaries

“Because it is my name! Because I cannot have another in my life!”

John Proctor, in Act Four, refusing to sign a false confession, as he values his name and integrity over his life.

“I have given you my soul; leave me my name!”

John Proctor, in Act Four, pleading with the court not to take his name, as he has already confessed to witchcraft.

“We are what we always were in Salem, but now the little crazy children are jangling the keys of the kingdom, and common vengeance writes the law.”

John Proctor, in Act Two, criticizing the court and the hysteria that has taken over Salem.

“I'll tell you what's walking Salem—vengeance is walking Salem.”

John Proctor, in Act Two, explaining to Elizabeth that the accusations are driven by personal grudges.

“The devil is precise; the marks of his presence are as definite as stone.”

Reverend Hale, in Act One, showing his belief in the tangible evidence of witchcraft.

“Attention, attention must be finally paid to such a person.”

Linda Loman says this to her sons, defending Willy and demanding that someone acknowledge his suffering and humanity.

“A salesman is got to dream, boy. It comes with the territory.”

Charley says this at Willy's funeral, explaining that the life of a salesman is built on dreams and illusions.

“You can't eat the orange and throw the peel away—a man is not a piece of fruit!”

Willy says this to his boss Howard, protesting his firing and the dehumanizing way he is being discarded.

“I am not a dime a dozen! I am Willy Loman, and you are Biff Loman!”

Willy shouts this at Biff during their confrontation, desperately clinging to his sense of identity and worth.

“The woods are burning, boys. Can you grasp that?”

Willy says this to his sons, using a metaphor for the impending disaster of his life and career.