Is Willy Loman A Tragic Hero
1. Do you agree with Arthur Miller’s assertion in Tragedy and the Common Man that Willy Loman is indeed a tragic hero? Why or why not?
According to Miller, a tragic hero is someone who dies for personal dignity. Willy does indeed die for his dignity. “Those who act against the scheme of things that degrades them.”(Miller. Tragedy of the Common Man) Willy’s act of committing suicide, fits in that category. In act 2, Willy reveals his desires to win back Biff’s respect by committing suicide. In one of his illusions, he says that “Ben that funeral will be massive…that boy will be thunderstruck, Ben, because he never realize I am known” (Miller pg. 126). While trying to convince Biff that their father is a great man, Willy won’t accept any challenge …show more content…
Linda throughout the play keeps stressing her loyalty to Willy “in spite of all his difficulties”. “Because I love him. He is the dearest man in the world to me, and I won’t have anyone making him feel unwanted and low and blue.” This quote basically describes Linda’s affection towards Willy. Stella shares the same love towards Stanley. Even though Stanley hit her, she still came running back to him. This reveals how the two have more than just a physical relationship. "When he's away for a week, I nearly go wild!"
3. Discuss the use of music in the play and how it reflects similar usage in Tennessee Williams’ Glass Menagerie and Streetcar.
The flute music that drifts through the play represents the only weak link Willy has with his father. Willy’s dad made flutes, and he was able to make a good living by traveling and selling them across the country. This illustrates Willy's career as a salesman as well as his dying talent for building things with his hands, which might have made him better off. Therefore, the flute music is the sign of what might have been if he took the road that involved his under-rated or forgotten
According to Miller, a tragic hero is someone who dies for personal dignity. Willy does indeed die for his dignity. “Those who act against the scheme of things that degrades them.”(Miller. Tragedy of the Common Man) Willy’s act of committing suicide, fits in that category. In act 2, Willy reveals his desires to win back Biff’s respect by committing suicide. In one of his illusions, he says that “Ben that funeral will be massive…that boy will be thunderstruck, Ben, because he never realize I am known” (Miller pg. 126). While trying to convince Biff that their father is a great man, Willy won’t accept any challenge …show more content…
Linda throughout the play keeps stressing her loyalty to Willy “in spite of all his difficulties”. “Because I love him. He is the dearest man in the world to me, and I won’t have anyone making him feel unwanted and low and blue.” This quote basically describes Linda’s affection towards Willy. Stella shares the same love towards Stanley. Even though Stanley hit her, she still came running back to him. This reveals how the two have more than just a physical relationship. "When he's away for a week, I nearly go wild!"
3. Discuss the use of music in the play and how it reflects similar usage in Tennessee Williams’ Glass Menagerie and Streetcar.
The flute music that drifts through the play represents the only weak link Willy has with his father. Willy’s dad made flutes, and he was able to make a good living by traveling and selling them across the country. This illustrates Willy's career as a salesman as well as his dying talent for building things with his hands, which might have made him better off. Therefore, the flute music is the sign of what might have been if he took the road that involved his under-rated or forgotten