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Willy Loman And Troy Maxson: Tragic Heroes - Online Essays

Willy Loman And Troy Maxson: Tragic Heroes

In his essay, "Tragedy and the Common Man," Arthur Miller wrote, "Tragedy, then, is the consequence of a man’s total compulsion to evaluate himself justly." This truth is apparent in the two plays, "Death of a Salesman" by Miller and "Fences" by August Wilson. Through their struggles against society as well as themselves, the characters of Willy Loman and Troy Maxson bring new meaning to the classical definition of "tragic hero."
In "Death of a Salesman" Miller condemns the American ideal of prosperity, seeing it as something that few can pursue without making dangerous moral compromises. Willy Loman, the sixty-year-old protagonist, has spent his life in search of happiness and the ...

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he was unable to play in the major leagues because of his African-American roots. There is no aspect of his life in which he does not feel constricted or fenced in. Because he is black, he is not allowed to drive the garbage truck but must always work behind, lifting and dumping. The beginning of the play marks a strong victory for Troy, after complaining to the union about the injustice, and wins.
Willy has spent his life wandering between illusion and reality. He encouraged his sons when they were growing up to be confident and popular, and now is attempting to live his life again through his sons. Willy ultimately takes his own life so that his son Biff may benefit from the insurance money that he will receive. The question then remains, is his suicide noble? Since it is perpetrated for Biff’s benefit, it can be read as a sacrifice. Sacrifice in our culture is a pious and admirable quality, one of nobility. In "Fences," the relationship between father and son is also an ...

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Willy Loman And Troy Maxson: Tragic Heroes. (2004, December 13). Retrieved August 26, 2025, from http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Willy-Loman-Troy-Maxson-Tragic-Heroes/18939

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"Willy Loman And Troy Maxson: Tragic Heroes." Essayworld.com. December 13, 2004. Accessed August 26, 2025. http://www.essayworld.com/essays/Willy-Loman-Troy-Maxson-Tragic-Heroes/18939.

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PAPER DETAILS

Added: 12/13/2004 05:26:18 PM
Category: Book Reports
Type: Premium Paper
Words: 488
Pages: 2

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