Arthur Miller: Connections to the Past

Character: The Hero – a modern view “ a man or woman admired for his achievements and noble qualities; one who shows great courage. “ Webster’s, 1998 ed.

What is a hero? According to editorial writer and Nazi concentration camp survivor, Si Frumkin, a hero is one who can Make conscious choices Endure great suffering

Frumkin continues “Heroism is a matter of choice, of a decision made and an action taken. Suffering isn’t. Obviously the two are not mutually exclusive, but they are far from identical.”

Aristotle and the hero – the ancient view A mixture of good and bad personality traits Of high moral worth Elevated above the common man “larger than life” Possessing a character flaw and/ or ignorant of a key fact (Aristotle’s life: 384 – 322 B.C.)

Aristotle says, “There remains, then, the character between two extremes – that of a man who is not eminently good and just, yet whose misfortune is brought about not by vice or depravity, but by some error or frailty. He must be someone highly renowned and prosperous.” On Poetry and Music, 330 B.C.

Aristotle continues, “The hero experiences the change of fortune from good to bad. It should come about, as the result, not of vice, but of some great error or frailty in a character.” On Poetry and Music

furthermore Heroes must be true to life be consistent They must also make an important self-discovery: Oedipus learns that while he is a great and noble man, he is subordinate to the gods.

Biff says in the Requiem, “Charley, the man didn’t know who he was.” Can a character be a tragic hero if he never attains self-knowledge?

Aristotle’s reflections on tragedy “Tragedy is an imitation of persons who are above the common level [and thus] the example of good portrait painters should be followed. They, while reproducing the distinctive form of the original, make a likeness which is true to life and yet more beautiful. So, too, the poet, in representing

men who are irascible or indolent, or have other defects of character, should preserve the type and yet ennoble it.”

The chorus in Antigone notes, “Wonders there are many, but none more wonderful than human beings.”

What are Willy’s character traits thus far? The good: love for his wife love for his sons, esp. Biff Hardworking; can endure suffering loyalty to his company; devoted to the concept of the strength & beauty of America; self-less idealistic

The bad: arrogant self-deceiving unfaithful to Linda in the past not wholly honest quick tempered

The Common Man as Hero Miller’s thoughts: “The common man is suitable for a tragic hero.” Willy is meant to be seen as greater and better (at least in potential) than his society. Is he? In what ways?

Compare and contrast Willy with Howard Wagner. What do you see Compare and contrast Willy with Howard Wagner. What do you see? What does Howard represent?

More from Miller Willy Loman is worthy of being viewed as a tragic hero because he “is ready to sacrifice his life to secure one thing--his sense of personal dignity.” Arthur Miller

At play’s end Is Willy Loman a modern tragic hero?

Structure: What else did Aristotle think? He believed in the importance of unity of action unity of time unity of place

What does Miller use? Unity of time ? - Yes! Last 24 hours of Willy’s life Unity of action? - Yes! The play is complete unto itself Unity of place? – No – there are multiple settings

Audience response Aristotle envisioned a cathartic experience (catharsis) for the audience, where their initial feelings of pity and fear are replaced by a sense of relief and a sense of being emotionally cleansed.

At the end of a performance of the first Broadway production From the director, Elia Kazan,: “It was the only time I’ve ever known men in the audience to cry.” John Huston commented, “I’ll never forget it…I looked around me once, and people had slipped off their seats and were kneeling, they were on their knees crying…It’s like what happens in the last stages of analysis.”

When you finish the play… . Does Death of a Salesman provide you with a catharsis?

On Death of a Salesman “Miller’s achievement [in Death of a Salesman] is genuine and important, embodying a serious theme and defining a serious flaw in a modern, materialistic world.” Thomas Arp, S.M.U.

Themes in Death The love of a father for a son and a son (Biff) for a father The conflict between father and son Man’s need to “leave a thumbprint somewhere in the world.” The question of who shall wield the power?

Additional themes… An examination of the materialistic values of society An individual’s search for meaning and purpose in life (not Willy, but Biff) failure in pursuit of success the problem of communication