3.2.1

Pride

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Pride

Willy’s tragedy is in part caused by his pride. Pride also plays a role in the downfall of other tragic heroes in the AQA Aspects of Tragedy component.

Illustrative background for Charley's job offerIllustrative background for Charley's job offer ?? "content

Charley's job offer

  • Even though Willy is prepared to borrow money from Charley, Willy refuses his offer of a New York job and a guaranteed fifty dollars a week:
    • “I - I just can’t work for you, Charley”.
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Unemployment

  • Willy does not explain himself further but Charley puts his stubbornness down to jealousy of his success.
  • Willy’s decision not to accept a job from Charley means that, by the end of the play, Willy only has the proceeds of his life insurance policy left.
Illustrative background for _Tess of the D'urbervilles_Illustrative background for _Tess of the D'urbervilles_ ?? "content

Tess of the D'urbervilles

  • Pride also plays a role in the downfall of other tragic heroes in the AQA Aspects of Tragedy component.
  • For example in Hardy’s novel, Tess’ pride stands in the way of her asking for help from Angel’s family, leaving her vulnerable to Alec.
Illustrative background for _Richard II_Illustrative background for _Richard II_ ?? "content

Richard II

  • Shakespeare’s Richard II is led astray by his own pride.
  • He ignores the sound advice of others and wrongly believes that, as “God’s substitute”, he is safe from challenges to his throne.
Illustrative background for _Lamia_Illustrative background for _Lamia_ ?? "content

Lamia

  • In Keats’ Lamia, Lycius’ pride leads him to denounce Apollonius when his former tutor reveals Lamia’s secret, leading to the final tragedy.

Jump to other topics

1Introduction

2Act One

3Act Two

4Extended Passage Analysis

5Character Profiles

6Key Themes

7Writing Techniques

8Historical Context

9Literary Context

10Critical Debates

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