Analysis Of Arthur Miller’S Tragedy Plays
As I was reading the essay Tragedy and the Common Man by Arthur Miller I found it hard to understand what the author meant and what he was trying to convey with his words. However, when I finally did understand I have to say that I agree that not many tragedies are written nowadays or at least not the type where tragedy is only fit for the kings or the kingly. Today tragedy may be perceived as archaic, an outgrown genre that doesn’t fit the modern world we now live in.
Yet Miller believes that the common man of our society is as capable of experiencing tragedy as those we called kings and queens. He describes a hero as a “character who is ready to lay down his life, if need be, to secure one thing-his sense of personal dignity” such description can suit anyone who is willing to fight for what he or she believes no matter their background. Miller believes that modern tragedy occurs in the instant a person is willing to claim what they believe is their rightful position in society, as they’re instantly placed in a position where the odds are against them and they could lose everything.
I agree with the notion that tragedy is driven by ‘Man’s total compunction to evaluate himself justly’. Man is known to be restless when faced with a challenge concerning his dignity, this restlessness often leads to the death of the persons as society becomes too much to bare. But moments and stories like these are the ones that make people question what is inherently wrong with society and what can be done in order to improve it. This results in the death and tragedy of a hero bringing hope to society as well as a deeper understanding of the challenges a person faces on a day to day basis. With this essay Miller reminds us that tragedy can and is bound to happen anywhere and that it is more often than not optimistic as tragedy thrives off the possibility of hope and success.
Arthur Miller’s 1949 play Death of a Salesman perfectly exemplifies a common man and a tragic hero while touching the subject of social realism. With this play Miller redefines tragedy as before this there was only one type of tragedy that belonged to Aristotle’s definition. The author challenged conceptions and presented the notion of a regular working-class man being the star of a tragic play. The protagonist Willy Loman is a salesman whose pride, ego and false idealism lead him to his and his family’s fall. Loman was a man who was ready to put everything on the line for what he believes and his refusal to change throughout the story was his tragic fail. As he addressed and acknowledged his faults he sacrificed himself for the “success” and wellbeing of his family thus making this a tragic play.
Another example that justifies this play as being a tragic one is the element of hope present. Willy, the main character of the play, throughout the story although he refuses, has the possibility of changing which would innately bring the possibility for a victory. It is stories like these which are relatable to the common man of today with topics like the fear of failure and change that make and shape the modern tragic hero.
