Modern American Tragedy L/O: to continue to explore the way in which tragedy evolved into the 20 th century (AO4) to continue to explore the way in which tragedy evolved into the 20 th century (AO4) Review of last lesson: What kind of themes were common in modern European tragedy? Can you name any of the playwrights who were a part of this ‘new’ form of tragedy? What is it called when the hero is more like a villain? What kind of character traits do these kind of protagonists have?

Modern American Domestic Tragedy Though less ‘epic’ in scale, still very powerful and appeal to modern audiences through themes of materialism, consumerism, procrastination and alienation. Though less ‘epic’ in scale, still very powerful and appeal to modern audiences through themes of materialism, consumerism, procrastination and alienation. ‘Issue-led’ = tragedy looks at a particular issue and examines its effect on the central characters. ‘Issue-led’ = tragedy looks at a particular issue and examines its effect on the central characters. Tend to focus on anti-heroes who do not quite fit in with society. Tend to focus on anti-heroes who do not quite fit in with society. Most protagonists face some kind of predicament. Most protagonists face some kind of predicament. Can still have the same cathartic effect, but, rather than demonstrate ‘how to behave’, these tragedies ask us to question established systems, principals and assumptions about life. Can still have the same cathartic effect, but, rather than demonstrate ‘how to behave’, these tragedies ask us to question established systems, principals and assumptions about life. Challenges ‘the American Dream’ for its idealism and ‘cost’ to individuals Challenges ‘the American Dream’ for its idealism and ‘cost’ to individuals Focuses on the importance and disintegration of the family – family crucial to ‘American dream’ Focuses on the importance and disintegration of the family – family crucial to ‘American dream’

American Tragedy “Because at the heart of American culture is the idea that ‘all are created equal’, old ideas of tragic drama is not appropriate for telling the American tragedy. There is no monarchy, and the American dream says that there must be no caste of rulers from which ordinary people are barred.”

Tragedy and the Common Man 1. What are the main argument(s) being made here? 2. What, for Miller, are Tragedy’s essential features? (4/5) 3. In what ways does Miller follow and/or deviate from Aristotle’s model of Tragedy? 4. Where, for Miller, do the feelings of fear and terror come from in modern Tragedy? 5. How does Miller explain the lack of/decline of Tragedy in the C20? 6. (Hard question?) What, for Miller, is the only universal? (Clue if needed…) 7. From where, in Miller’s view, does status/stature come? 8. Is Tragedy, for Miller, an optimistic or pessimistic form? Explain…

American Tragedy: the basics Central characters are anti-heroes or heroines Central characters are anti-heroes or heroines Characters are ordinary people Characters are ordinary people Family life is central, though presented as somehow corrupt and diseased Family life is central, though presented as somehow corrupt and diseased Corruption undermines faith and belief in the whole order of society Corruption undermines faith and belief in the whole order of society the world is seen as being full of deceit, and prizes or dreams chased are illusory the world is seen as being full of deceit, and prizes or dreams chased are illusory Often characters vie and manoeuvre for control Often characters vie and manoeuvre for control There is often an emphasis on psychological elements There is often an emphasis on psychological elements The disorder of the world sometimes matched the disorder of the mind The disorder of the world sometimes matched the disorder of the mind Deaths are usually not shown on stage Deaths are usually not shown on stage Usually, some element of the past impinges tragically on the present. Usually, some element of the past impinges tragically on the present.