Tragedy and the Common Man

1. In Tragedy and the common man, Miller says that the tragedy has lost its true meaning, and that it is actually affecting common everyday people. "For one reason or another, we are often held to be below tragedy—or tragedy above us. The inevitable conclusion is, of course, that the tragic mode is archaic…"

2. According to Arthur Miller, one quality that causes every tragic hero to fall is the failure to remain passive through his or her tragic flaws. Miller says, "the flaw, or crack in the character, is really nothing—and need be nothing—but his inherent unwillingness to remain passive in the face of what he conceives to be a challenge to his dignity, his image of his rightful status.

3. Based on Miller's point about that quality, the common man fit so perfectly into the role of a tragic hero. It is because, common people tend to get away and avoid problems. Also people don't like to accept the fear or insensitivity or ignorance. Miller said, "But there are among us today, as there always have been, those who act against scheme of things that degrades them, and in the process of action, everything we have accepted out of fear or insensitivity or ignorance is shaken before us and examed…"

4. The one thing that separates the traditional tragic hero from a common everyman tragic hero is the fear. Traditional tragic hero and everyman tragic hero have totally different types of fears. Since most of the tragedies were written in noble's perspectives, they always feared of losing their positions. Unlike them, common everyman tragic heroes fear of being torn away from the world. One thing that is important in his view is that, Miller tries to show how the characteristics of tragedies changed over time.

5. What Miller says about tragedies being viewed as being "pessimistic" is that it is misunderstood. People think tragedy is always related to something pessimistic. But Miller argues that this is not necessarily true. He says that tragedies, in facts, are more optimistic than comedies are. The reason why he thinks tragedies are "optimistic," is that it's the result of the author's brightest opinion on the human.

6. Willy, indeed, is a tragic hero, who is also a victim of the society. The major cause of the downfall was his excessive pride. Even though he actually needed help from others, he couldn't ruin his pride from the world, and tried to be strong in front of everyone. However, inside his deep down heart, it was not the same.

Marriage

Why do you think two people get married? 

I think two people get married because they love each other. If they don't love each other, then they would not even think about getting married. Marriage is a way to tell others that they love each other.

Why do two people stay married? 

Two people stay married because they truly love each other. If they don't care or love each other, I don't think people would stay married. It would be really hard for that person to stay with a person you don't like.

Do you think that one partner should accept the other partner’s “failings” or “flaws”?  Why or why not?

It depends on whether one partner should accept the other partner's “failings” or “flaws”. One partner should accept when he/she knows that the other partner's flaws are pure mistake. But if it's on purpose, it depends on how bad the flaw is.

Do you think there is a limit to what a partner should or should not accept? Explain.

Yes I think there is a limit to what a partner should or should not accept. Just like what I answered for the previous question, it depends on how bad a partner's flaw is. If a partner cheated on the other partner on purpose continuously, then I don't think that person should accept that.

What do you think are some things married couples commonly argue about? Why do you think that is?

Things that married couples commonly argue is about money and what their children should do. Money is really important thing that people need to maintain their family. Once they get a kid, it will cost a lot of money. They have to pay food, education, clothing and more for their kids.

What should you do if you feel that one parent is abusing the other—verbally, emotionally or physically?  Why?

You should confront them if you feel that one parent is abusing the other-verbally, emotionally or physically. I would go up to one parent and say that I would leave the house if he/she keep abusing the other. If that doesn't stop it, then I would call someone to help.

What would you do if you find out that one parent is lying to the other? Why?

If I find out that one parent is lying to the other, I would definitely ask for the reason. Because this is the way that I don't have to use forces. This is the most tranquil and safe way.