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Tragedy And The Common Man - Online Term Paper

Tragedy And The Common Man

In , Arthur Miller contends the point that the common man is in fact an apt subject for tragedy. He goes on to prove his point as he discusses his definition and criteria for tragedy as they apply to the common man.: The first major standard of tragedy set forth is: “...if the exaltation of tragic action were truly a property of the high-bred character alone, it is inconceivable that the mass of mankind should cherish tragedy above all other forms.” All persons, regardless of background, nobility stature, rank, or pretended or actual social division can innately empathize with the tragic hero. In the case of Willy Loman there is a certain familiarity. He is the universal man down the ...

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The universality of identification is, among those reading or viewing the play, a bonding force for persons of every station. Miller’s success in this point is bred from each viewer’s own sentiment for Willie Loman.
Another point by Miller is that, “the tragic feeling is invoked in us when we are in the presence of a character who is willing to lay down his life... to secure one thing- his sense of personal dignity.” Willy Loman is that kind of man. He will go to any length to preserve his personal dignity. Much of his sense of identity stems from his vocation. He is a salesman. His importance is derived from that designation. Thus, his self-dignity is directly related to his occupational success. According to Willy, some weeks he averaged two hundred dollars, in actuality it was closer to seventy. However, he still found solace in that he was doing what was expected of him. One example of his incessant need to be successful as a salesman is, that he misses many opportunities which ...

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Tragedy And The Common Man. (2007, September 21). Retrieved June 7, 2026, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Tragedy-And-The-Common-Man/71496

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 9/21/2007 05:00:30 AM
Category: Arts
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 954
Pages: 4

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