专项提能计划——阅读理解(一)人物传记类(2011·高考山东卷·A)ArthurMiller(1915~2005)isuniversallyrecognizedasoneofthegreatestdramatistsofthe20thcentury
Miller’sfatherhadmovedtotheUSAfromAustriaHungary,drawnlikesomanyothersbythe“GreatAmericanDream”.However,heexperiencedseverefinancialhardshipwhenhisfamilybusinesswasruinedintheGreatDepressionoftheearly1930s
Miller’smostfamousplay,DeathofaSalesman,isapowerfulattackontheAmericansystem,withitsaggressivewayofdoingbusinessanditsinsistenceonmoneyandsocialstatusasindicatorsofworth
InWillyLoman,theherooftheplay,weseeamanwhohasgotintotroublewiththissystem
Willyis“burntout”andinthecruelworldofbusinessthereisnoroomforsentiment:ifhecan’tdothework,thenheisnogoodtohisemployer,theWagnerCompany,andhemustgo
Willyispainfullyawareofthis,andatalossastowhattodowithhislackofsuccess
Herefus