Arthur Miller interview on his Life and Career (1987)

Summary

Arthur Miller’s autobiography, *Time Bends*, chronicles the life of one of America’s most influential playwrights. From his early years in Depression-era Harlem to his groundbreaking successes with *Death of a Salesman* and *The Crucible*, Miller’s journey is marked by both triumph and personal struggles. His tumultuous relationships, including his marriage to Marilyn Monroe, and his defiance against the McCarthy-era hearings highlight the complexity of his life. Despite facing public scrutiny and personal challenges, Miller remained committed to his craft, writing plays well into his later years, leaving a lasting impact on American theater.

Takeaways

• 😀 Time bends is the title of Arthur Miller's autobiography, reflecting the twists and turns in his 72-year life, marked by personal and professional highs and lows.
• 😀 Arthur Miller wrote *Death of a Salesman* at the age of 33, with the first act completed in just one day and the entire play finished in about six weeks.
• 😀 *Death of a Salesman* became a major success, winning both the Pulitzer Prize and the New York Drama Critics Award, making Miller a prominent figure in American theatre.
• 😀 Miller's early life was shaped by hardship: born to a Jewish immigrant father in Harlem, he grew up during the Great Depression and faced financial struggles.
• 😀 Miller worked for two years to afford attending the University of Michigan, where he sought to explore the American heartland beyond his New York upbringing.
• 😀 Miller's first marriage to Mary Slattery, an Irish Catholic, reflected his desire to explore a life beyond his own cultural background.
• 😀 During the mid-1940s, Miller wrote 'trunk plays,' many of which were not successful until *All My Sons* in 1947, which marked a breakthrough in his career.
• 😀 Despite his professional success, Miller's personal life became tumultuous, particularly following the fame of *Death of a Salesman* and his marriage to Marilyn Monroe.
• 😀 Miller was called before the House Un-American Activities Committee in the 1950s but refused to name names, despite the pressure to inform on fellow left-wing individuals.
• 😀 Miller’s marriage to Marilyn Monroe, though sensationalized in the tabloids, was marked by deep personal struggles. He described Monroe as someone caught between her star image and a desire for a simple, grounded life.
• 😀 After a troubled five-year marriage, Miller divorced Marilyn Monroe in 1961 and remarried in 1962. He currently lives in Connecticut with his third wife, Inga Moran, and continues to write plays.

Q & A

How does the title 'Time Bends' reflect Arthur Miller's life and work?

The title 'Time Bends' reflects the twists and turns of Arthur Miller's life, which has been shaped by both personal and professional ups and downs. His life, marked by periods of success and struggle, mirrors the unpredictable flow of time itself, bending in and out of different phases, including his marriages, political controversies, and shifts in literary fame.

What is the significance of 'Death of a Salesman' in Arthur Miller's career?

'Death of a Salesman' is considered a turning point in Arthur Miller's career. Written at the age of 33, it became a massive success, winning both the Pulitzer Prize and the New York Drama Critics Award. The play's impact on American theater was profound, and it also influenced Miller's personal life, particularly his relationships and marriage.

What was the process of writing 'Death of a Salesman' like for Miller?

Miller described writing 'Death of a Salesman' as a relatively quick process, with the first act taking only one day and night to write. The second act took about six weeks, but Miller emphasized that the play was shaped by a lifetime of experience, reflecting the depth and complexity of his personal and professional journey.

How did Miller's success affect his personal life?

Miller's growing fame and success brought about significant changes in his personal life. He noted a shift in how people treated him, particularly women and men who began to view him as an icon. This sense of power and influence altered his relationships, and he struggled with the pressures of maintaining a balanced personal life amidst his career achievements.

What impact did the Great Depression have on Miller's early life?

The Great Depression had a profound effect on Arthur Miller's early life. Born to a Jewish immigrant father who lost everything in the 1929 crash, Miller grew up in a time of hardship. This experience influenced both his writing and his political views, shaping his perspective on the American Dream and the struggles of ordinary people.

How did Miller's first marriage influence his work and personal development?

Miller’s first marriage to Mary Slattery, an Irish Catholic from the Midwest, was marked by a mutual desire to experience something beyond their individual worlds. However, as Miller's success grew, he began to feel a disconnect in the relationship. The marriage ended after his rise to fame, and Miller later acknowledged that his time in psychoanalysis was driven by his dissatisfaction and unhappiness within that marriage.

How did Miller's involvement with the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) impact his career?

Miller’s encounter with the HUAC, which was investigating left-wing sympathies during the Cold War, had a significant impact on his career. When asked to name names, Miller refused to implicate others, which led to him being held in contempt of Congress. This event damaged his relationship with some in Hollywood, notably director Elia Kazan, who named names himself.

What was the nature of Miller's relationship with Elia Kazan?

Miller had a close friendship with Elia Kazan, who directed his plays 'All My Sons' and 'Death of a Salesman.' However, their relationship fractured when Kazan cooperated with the HUAC and named names, something Miller could not accept. This betrayal led to a long period of estrangement between the two.

What role did Marilyn Monroe play in Miller's life and work?

Marilyn Monroe's marriage to Arthur Miller was a highly publicized and complex chapter in his life. While their union attracted media attention, Miller saw Monroe as an innocent person who struggled with the pressure of her fame. He believed that her identity was consumed by her stardom, which contributed to her emotional struggles and ultimately to the breakdown of their marriage.

What does Miller reflect on regarding his divorce from Marilyn Monroe?

Miller reflects on his divorce from Marilyn Monroe as a painful and emotionally complex experience. He acknowledges that, despite sensing the inevitable doom of their relationship, he was unable to let go. He describes the period as filled with both wonderful and terrible moments, and views Monroe as a deeply sensitive person whose fame ultimately led to her self-destruction.