THE COMMON MAN

“In this age few tragedies are AS TRAGIC HERO written…For one reason or ristotle, a famous Greek heroes of two working-class char- another, we are often held to Aphilosopher and scien- acters: Eddie Carbone and Willy tist, defined the parts of Loman. be below tragedy—or tragedy ancient Greek tragedy in above us…I believe that the his book Poetics. The most Miller creates his tragic heroes important aspect of tragedy, using modern American values. common man is as apt a according to Aristotle, is that it Eddie and Willy are noble because subject for tragedy in its highest should incite pity and fear in the they work hard to support their families. audience. They pursue the American Dream – that sense as kings were… I think a person can start with nothing and Greek tragedy also has a tragic hero. This the tragic feeling is evoked in become successful through hard work person (typically a man) must be noble, and determination. us when we are in the so we will pity him when he experiences his downfall. For Aristotle, noble meant a Like Greek tragic heroes, Eddie and Willy presence of a character who is king or a leader of men. Arthur Miller, are good men, but not perfect. They have ready to lay down his life, if however, found many tragic heroes tragic flaws and make tragic mistakes among the common people of his own that bring about their downfalls. When need be, to secure one thing— time. While other modern playwrights watching the plays, note what each man’s his sense of personal dignity.” moved away from classical tragedy, Miller flaws and mistakes are. Do they under- applied Aristotle’s theory to stories of stand their mistakes? Do they deserve —Arthur Miller everyday American life. He made tragic their tragic endings? TITLE WORDS LIFE OF A THE BRIDGE SALESMAN The bridge referred to in A View from the Bridge is the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. The play illy Loman believes being a takes place in Red Hook, a neighborhood near Wsalesman is “the greatest the bridge. What figurative or symbolic career a man could want.” In the bridges might “the bridge” refer 1940s, most people, like Willy, would to? Whom do you think is look- work for the same company for their ing down from the bridge? entire career. Workers were loyal to their company and believed in its products. With no television or Internet for sales or advertising, door-to-door salesmen were crucial to a company’s success. Salesmen Rick Foucheux stars sold everything from vacuum clean- as Willy Loman ers to life insurance, demonstrating products in people’s homes. They had to represent their product and company in the best light. Personal relationships and per- sonality were critical, because they meant repeat sales, and a salesman’s pay was often based on the amount he sold.

Activity! Willy’s strength and downfall is his unwavering belief. As a salesman, he believes in his company’s products wholeheartedly. How does belief affect your ability as a salesperson? Pitch (try to sell) a product that you believe in. Then, pitch a product you do not like. Which is easier? What makes a pitch successful?

ARTHUR MILLER’S WRITING REFLECTS Helpful Hints for Theater Audiences As an audience member at the theater, YOU THE ISSUES OF HIS DAY AND OURS are part of the show! Just as you see and hear the actors onstage, they can see and hear you in the audience. To help the performers do A View from the Bridge: Death of a Salesman: their best, please remember the following: Immigration A Changing World & Workplace Arrive at least 30 minutes early. Each year hundreds of thousands of Willy Loman rails, “I am not a dime a people like Marco and Rodolpho enter dozen!” Unfortunately, in a world that is Visit the restroom before the show the U.S. illegally in search of a better life. constantly changing people can become starts. unimportant and even irrelevant. Some people feel that illegal immigrants Before the show begins, turn off take jobs and public services away from Although Willy devoted his life and best your cell phone, watch alarms, American citizens. Some feel illegal efforts to being a salesman, in the end he pagers, and other electronic immigrants are a threat to national is unemployed, cast off by all his former devices. If anything rings by accident, shut it off immediately. security. They believe we should not let business contacts and forced to borrow illegal immigrants obtain a driver’s money from his neighbor, Charley. Willy Save food and drinks for the lobby. license, attend public school or work in has become old, old fashioned and, there- There is no eating or drinking the U.S. They also believe there should fore, not useful or important in the work- inside the theater. be greater security measures on U.S. place. borders to prevent people from entering Walk to and from your seat - no the country illegally. Today, people who cannot keep pace with running in the theater! technological changes can have difficulty Do not talk, whisper, sing, or hum. Other people, however, believe the U.S. keeping or finding jobs. People become government already limits immigration unemployed as machines or computer Keep your feet on the floor, not on too much. They think that more people programs are created to do their work or the seat in front of you. should be allowed to immigrate legally. replace them. In Death of a Salesman, They also believe that some illegal Willy’s boss, Howard, plays with a record- Avoid getting up during a show immigrants should be allowed to stay in ing machine while Willy begs for a job. In because it distracts your neighbors the U.S. since they face poverty, this scene, Howard is paying more atten- and the performers. If you must starvation, persecution or even death in tion to the machine than the man in front leave, wait for a scene change, then exit quietly and quickly. their home countries. of him. Performers appreciate enthusiastic Ultimately, the question of immigration is What, in your lifetime, have you seen applause rather than whistling or one without an easy answer. Would fewer become old fashioned and outdated? What shouting. people enter the country illegally if it jobs do you think will no longer exist in the were easier to do so legally? Or would it near future? What does it mean when peo- Cameras and videotape are be better simply to make it more difficult ple become unimportant? prohibited because they are to enter the U.S.? These are all questions distracting to the performers. policymakers are still trying to answer. Enjoy the show!

Activity: Scan local and national headlines for current stories regarding immigration and unemployment. Examine the platforms of the presidential candidates; where do they stand on immigration and the economy? As a class, discuss whether these issues are still important today and how they affect you as a person in the United States. 1101 Sixth Street, SW Washington, DC 20024 Phone: (202) 554-9066 Additional Resources Fax: (202) 488-4056

Books Web Community Engagement Phone: (202) 234-5782 by Arthur Miller American Masters: Arthur Miller The Crucible Fax: (202) 797-1043 On Politics and the Art of Acting by Arthur Miller www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters Written by Emily Denison & Film Arthur Miller Society Alexandra Petri On the Waterfront www.ibiblio.org/miller Edited by Rebecca Campana Death of a Salesman Illustrations by Sterling Hundley Charlie Rose with Arthur Miller Immigration: The Living Mosaic In Search of History – Spies Among Us library.thinkquest.org/20619 Visit www.arenastage.org for more information on Arena Stage productions and educational opportunities.