John Proctor And Willy Loman: The Tragedies Of Two Common Men

Are John Proctor and Willy Loman common men? Are they tragic heroes? Using

information from Arthur Miller’s essay, “Tragedy and the Common Man”, both men can

be defined as common, and both men can be defined as tragic heroes. Miller’s essay also

characterizes the plays “The Crucible” and “Death of a Salesman” as tragedies in modern

According to Miller, the quality that shapes the image of the common man is one

that “derives from the underlying fear of being displaced, the disaster inherent in being

torn away from our chosen image of what and who we are in this world” (Miller, Tragedy

of the Common Man). Both John Proctor and Willy Loman share this fear, and both

regard their reputations in society very highly. Proctor’s fear of being displaced is evident

in the last act when he refuses to sign the confession stating that he practiced witchcraft.

Procter declares, “I have given you my soul; leave me my name!”(Miller, The Crucible,

Act IV). This quote implies that Procter values maintaining his chosen image as a good

and holy man over his soul, which in his religious society is also regarded very highly.

this quote reveals that Willy knows that he is not the best to some degree and provides

considered tragedies in modern literature.

that signing his name is unjust and unnecessary. He states, “God knows how black my

reveals his desires to win back Biff’s respect by committing suicide. During one of his

from a great many people. Miller also adds that “the possibility of victory must be there in

Instead of remaining passive and acquiescing to Danforth’s demands, John Proctor argues

and so are you!”(Miller, Death of a Salesman, Act II). Willy conceives this as a challenge

Salesman” both meet the requirements set by “Tragedy and the Common Man” to be

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