Arthur Miller wrote this essay to respond to Aristotle’s idea about tragedy. Miller looks at Aristotle’s ideas and tries to reformulate them for contemporary audiences. Arthur Miller believes that tragedy was still relevant for modern audiences. Miller goes on to introduce us to those characteristics of true tragedy in the modern age in his essay, Tragedy And The Common Man. These essential characteristics Miller talks about in the essay will be outlined down below. For more on the essay, feel free to click the link and read further.
5 Main Characteristics Of Tragedy In Modern Times
Tragedy is the consequence of a man's total compulsion to evaluate himself justly. In other words, for Miller, a tragic hero is one who is obsessed with lifting himself up in society (This we clearly see in A Raisin In The Sun). In a sense, we are like Willy Loman and Walter. Opposed to the idea that a tragic hero has to come for a noble background, Miller argues that anyone could be a tragic hero.
The compulsion within the protagonist gives rise to his insistence upon securing his personal dignity. This essentially means the protagonist holds on dearly to his/her dreams or vision of greatness within themselves, and no matter how much they fail, they keep on trying. For example, in A Raisin In The Sun, even after Walter fails he tries to sell his 'identity' just to be able to sustain that image of his greatness on his imagination again.
The protagonist makes an attempt to gain his rightful position in society. This refers to the protagonist believing their great but for one reason or the other, they are not where they ought to be in society. So, the protagonist tries everything they can to achieve that position in society. We see this in, A Raisin In The Sun, as we see Walter try to open up a liquor store to attain that position he desires in society.
The drive and passion the protagonist has is manifested in a total onslaught of the protagonist against his/her environment. We see this in the Death of a salesman and even in A Raisin In The Sun. In A Raisin In The Sun, we see Walter faced with several adversities and troubles from his environment, society, family, and friends. Walter in in conflict with the entire universe as everything he had tried to do backfired against him. Society seemed to seek to under-value and make Walter's dreams unattainable.
The total onslaught made by the protagonist creates in the audience the terror and fear that is classically associated with tragedy. In order words, when we are watching a tragedy in modern times, we get hooked in by emotions such as pity which we have towards the main character. A good tragedy hooks the audience and we can see that in the more 'modern' play, A Raisin In The Sun. From the very start of the play, we become hooked to the story as we watch Walter try to achieve his goals and dreams. Especially when Walter actually has the money he needed to finance his dreams, we as in the audience hoped that everything works out because we have been emotionally hooked unto the tragic story that was unfolding. Our concerns were heightened and we want him to achieve his dream.
Miller goes on to conclude that the hero's or protagonist's 'tragic flaw' is their inherent unwillingness to remain passive to their image of rightful status. Miller believes that the tragic hero cannot accept the cards that life has dealt them. The inability to accept life dealings is ultimately the hero's tragic flaw. This we can see in Walter and even in Willy Loman. In his final words, Miller urges that we who are without kings, took up this bright thread of our history and follow it to the only place it can possibly lead to in our time -- the heart and spirit of the average man.
Until Next Time My Friends!!
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