Modern American Modern American TragedyTragedy

L/O:L/O: to continue to explore the way in which to continue to explore the way in which tragedy evolved into the 20tragedy evolved into the 20thth century (AO4) century (AO4)

Review of last lesson:Review of last lesson:

What kind of themes were common in modern European What kind of themes were common in modern European tragedy?tragedy?

Can you name any of the playwrights who were a part of Can you name any of the playwrights who were a part of this ‘new’ form of tragedy?this ‘new’ form of tragedy?

What is it called when the hero is more like a villain? What What is it called when the hero is more like a villain? What kind of character traits do these kind of protagonists have?kind of character traits do these kind of protagonists have?

Modern American Domestic Modern American Domestic TragedyTragedy Though less ‘epic’ in scale, still very powerful and Though less ‘epic’ in scale, still very powerful and

appeal to modern audiences through themes of appeal to modern audiences through themes of materialism, consumerism, procrastination materialism, consumerism, procrastination andand alienation. alienation.

‘‘Issue-led’ = tragedy looks at a particular issue Issue-led’ = tragedy looks at a particular issue and examines its effect on the central characters.and examines its effect on the central characters.

Tend to focus on anti-heroes who do not quite fit Tend to focus on anti-heroes who do not quite fit in with society.in with society.

Most protagonists face some kind of predicament.Most protagonists face some kind of predicament. Can still have the same Can still have the same catharticcathartic effect, but, effect, but,

rather than demonstrate ‘how to behave’, these rather than demonstrate ‘how to behave’, these tragedies ask us to question established systems, tragedies ask us to question established systems, principals and assumptions about life.principals and assumptions about life.

Challenges ‘the American Dream’ for its idealism Challenges ‘the American Dream’ for its idealism and ‘cost’ to individualsand ‘cost’ to individuals

Focuses on the importance and disintegration of Focuses on the importance and disintegration of the family – family crucial to ‘American dream’the family – family crucial to ‘American dream’

American TragedyAmerican Tragedy

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

Tragedy and the Tragedy and the Common ManCommon Man

1.1. What are the main argument(s) being made here?What are the main argument(s) being made here?

2.2. What, for Miller, are Tragedy’s essential features? (4/5)What, for Miller, are Tragedy’s essential features? (4/5)

3.3. In what ways does Miller follow and/or deviate from In what ways does Miller follow and/or deviate from Aristotle’s model of Tragedy?Aristotle’s model of Tragedy?

4.4. Where, for Miller, do the feelings of fear and terror Where, for Miller, do the feelings of fear and terror come from in modern Tragedy?come from in modern Tragedy?

5.5. How does Miller explain the lack of/decline of Tragedy in How does Miller explain the lack of/decline of Tragedy in the C20?the C20?

6.6. (Hard question?) What, for Miller, is the only universal? (Hard question?) What, for Miller, is the only universal? (Clue if needed…)(Clue if needed…)

7.7. From where, in Miller’s view, does status/stature come?From where, in Miller’s view, does status/stature come?

8.8. Is Tragedy, for Miller, an optimistic or pessimistic form? Is Tragedy, for Miller, an optimistic or pessimistic form? Explain…Explain…

American Tragedy: the basicsAmerican Tragedy: the basics Central characters are anti-heroes or heroinesCentral characters are anti-heroes or heroines Characters are ordinary peopleCharacters are ordinary people Family life is central, though presented as Family life is central, though presented as

somehow corrupt and diseasedsomehow corrupt and diseased Corruption undermines faith and belief in the Corruption undermines faith and belief in the

whole order of societywhole order of society the world is seen as being full of deceit, and the world is seen as being full of deceit, and

prizes or dreams chased are illusoryprizes or dreams chased are illusory Often characters vie and manoeuvre for controlOften characters vie and manoeuvre for control There is often an emphasis on psychological There is often an emphasis on psychological

elementselements The disorder of the world sometimes matched the The disorder of the world sometimes matched the

disorder of the minddisorder of the mind Deaths are usually not shown on stageDeaths are usually not shown on stage Usually, some element of the past impinges Usually, some element of the past impinges

tragically on the present.tragically on the present.