上海交通大学：《英语文学导论 An Introduction to English Literature》课程教学资源（PPT讲稿）Arthur Miller

山海克通大￥ ANGILAI IIAO TONC UNIVERSITY 英语文学导论 An Introduction to English Literature

英语文学导论 An Introduction to English Literature

上海通大￥ SHANGILAI IIAO TONG UNIVERSITY Drama

Drama

Arthur Miller Born in a well-to-do Jewish manufacturer's family in 1915 Experienced the Great Depression Educated in the University of Michigan Had odd job as waiter,truck driver, factory worker,etc. Won the Pulitzer Prize in 1949

Arthur Miller Born in a well-to-do Jewish manufacturer’s family in 1915 Experienced the Great Depression Educated in the University of Michigan Had odd job as waiter, truck driver, factory worker, etc. Won the Pulitzer Prize in 1949

Major works: All my sons,1947 Death of salesman,1949 The Crucible,1953 A View from the Bridge,1955 Incident at Vichy,1964 The price,1968 The American Clock,1980

Major works: All my sons, 1947 Death of salesman, 1949 The Crucible, 1953 A View from the Bridge, 1955 Incident at Vichy, 1964 The price, 1968 The American Clock , 1980

Writing Styles Sophlstlcated In Its Integration of reallsm and expresslonlsm, emotion and ethical concerns. Employs vernacular speech and features ordinary characters. Borrowed most of his theatrical devices from expresslonism, including the fluidity of space and time,the breaking down of audlence barrler,etc

Writing Styles Sophisticated in its integration of realism and expressionism, emotion and ethical concerns. Employs vernacular speech and features ordinary characters. Borrowed most of his theatrical devices from expressionism, including the fluidity of space and time, the breaking down of audience barrier, etc

Tragedy Tragedy is the art form created to confront the most difficult experiences we face:death,loss,injustice,thwarted passion, despair...as well as seeking explanation for them. Tragedy attempts to stage what might otherwise,by virtue of its extreme,harrowing nature,be considered unstageable. Tragedians have traditionally used the pattern and "order"of aesthetic form in order to test whether such "order"exists in the world they present

Tragedy Tragedy is the art form created to confront the most difficult experiences we face: death, loss, injustice, thwarted passion, despair…as well as seeking explanation for them. Tragedy attempts to stage what might otherwise, by virtue of its extreme, harrowing nature, be considered unstageable. Tragedians have traditionally used the pattern and “order” of aesthetic form in order to test whether such “order” exists in the world they present

American tragedy The prime focus of American tragedy has been the family. One of the main traditions has centered upon the family house,the yard,the living room... The attention upon the family and its boundaries is a means of exploring the relationship between the private family and the wider society,the connections between the small group of people witnessed by us on stage and the imagined wider society beyond theatre itself

American tragedy The prime focus of American tragedy has been the family. One of the main traditions has centered upon the family house, the yard, the living room… The attention upon the family and its boundaries is a means of exploring the relationship between the private family and the wider society, the connections between the small group of people witnessed by us on stage and the imagined wider society beyond theatre itself

From Classical Tragedy Unity of time--the final 24 hours in Willy's life Unity of action-the play is complete unto itself Unity of place the stage setting doesn't change

From Classical Tragedy Unity of time -- the final 24 hours in Willy’s life Unity of action - the play is complete unto itself Unity of place – the stage setting doesn’t change

Features of Classical Tragedy The hero's traits being a mixture of good and bad and being of higher moral worth than others in society The concept of the hero's flaw The hero's capacity to willingly endure suffering The catharsis experienced by the audience

Features of Classical Tragedy The hero’s traits being a mixture of good and bad and being of higher moral worth than others in society The concept of the hero’s flaw The hero’s capacity to willingly endure suffering The catharsis experienced by the audience

The Common Man as Hero Miller's thoughts: ·“Everyone knows Willy Loman.”(allusion to the morality play,Everyman.) 。“The common man is suitable for a tragic hero.” Willy is meant to be seen as greater and better (at least in potential)than the society

The Common Man as Hero Miller’s thoughts: •“Everyone knows Willy Loman.” (allusion to the morality play, Everyman.) •“The common man is suitable for a tragic hero.” •Willy is meant to be seen as greater and better (at least in potential) than the society