Break Through (play)

Break Through is a play by Arthur Miller, first performed in 1950 under the title The Salesman and the Assistant. It was later revised and renamed Break Through for a limited run in London in 1964.

The play explores themes of identity, ambition, and the changing American Dream, similar to Miller's more famous work, Death of a Salesman. It centers around the character of Harry Silvermann, a struggling salesman grappling with his failures in business and his relationship with his family. Harry is portrayed as a man caught between the promise of success and the harsh realities of a competitive capitalist society. The play examines his moral compromises and the impact they have on his sense of self-worth and the lives of those around him.

While not as widely recognized as some of Miller's other works, Break Through offers insights into the playwright's ongoing engagement with the challenges facing individuals in a rapidly evolving American landscape. The revision and renaming of the play suggest Miller's attempt to refine and sharpen its focus on these central themes. Critical reception of Break Through has been mixed, with some appreciating its exploration of complex moral dilemmas and others finding it less compelling than Miller's more established dramas. However, it remains a significant work within Miller's oeuvre, shedding light on his recurring concerns about the human cost of ambition and the search for meaning in a materialistic world.