Transcript Modern Tragedy - Fort Johnson Middle School Communication

Modern Tragedy
And Arthur Miller
What is a Modern Tragedy?
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ordinary people in tragic situation
dark scenes, dark faces, everyone
dies or is in some way destroyed.
Some humor at the loss of
humanity, laughter without
substance.
everything is simplified. People are
stripped down to what is essential.
1.
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Modern tragedies don't have to look
real, any action is simple.
Person in high position, not
necessarily regal, falls to great depth.
All central characters die or are
destroyed.
The difference between a drama and
Modern Tragedy: modern tragedy is to
fall from great height results from a
tragic flaw, no way out of dilemma.
Tragedy has to go beyond Drama.
Tragedy has to bring on emotionally
more than drama, it has to bring
catharsis. This has got to be an
enormous impact on the audience. The
audience has to feel disemboweled at
the end of the play. That is what tragedy
has to achieve. And drama only has to
move the audience.
Who is Arthur Miller?
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Full Name: Arthur Asher Miller
Born: October 17, 1915 in Harlem
Parents: Isidore and Augusta Miller
Father made ladies coats and mother was
a schoolteacher.
Lived a comfortable lifestyle along with his
brother, Kermit, until 1929.
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His father lost his business due to the
crash in 1929.
The family moved to Brooklyn, and lived
a poverish life.
Many of his plays deal with individuals
rendered helpless because of
uncontrollable social forces.
Teen Life
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Was not an excellent student. Was a great
athlete.
Did not get into college right out of high
school in 1932.
He was forced to work a number of jobs
that opened his eyes to anti-Semitism.
Miller was Jewish.
Started at the University of Michigan in
1934
Early Career
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After graduating with a BA in English in
1938, Miller began his career as a
playwright.
Worked for the Federal Theatre Project.
Wrote radio scripts and 22 plays in 6 years
During this time, he married Mary, his
college sweetheart, and had 2 children.
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His Broadway debut in 1944 was with The
Man Who Had All the Luck.
Closed after 6 performances.
All My Sons, his next play, was a huge
success and allowed him to buy a farm in
Connecticut.
The Crucible came about as an allegory
for communism in the 1940’s-50’s.
Monroe Years
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Went to trial because The Crucible showed
communism. Since he wouldn’t release info on
communism and friends that had his same
beliefs, he was blacklisted.
Divorced in 1956. Married Marilyn Monroe in
1956 and divorced her in 1960.
He wrote The Misfits for Marilyn when she
miscarried their child.
1960’s
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In 1962, he married Inge Morath, a
photographer.
Had 2 children
During the 1960’s, he stood up against the
Vietnam War.
Became the president of international
writers.
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During the 1980’s, he had may of his
plays adapted for television and movie
production.
In Death of a Salesman, Dustin
Hoffman played Willie Loman.
During the 80’s-90’s, Miller has been
awarded the Pulitzer and the
Distinguished Senior Writer award.
Died February 10, 2005