3.2.1
Pride
Pride
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.
Charley's job offer
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”.
Unemployment
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.
Tess of the D'urbervilles
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.
Richard II
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.
Lamia
Lamia
- In Keats’ Lamia, Lycius’ pride leads him to denounce Apollonius when his former tutor reveals Lamia’s secret, leading to the final tragedy.
1Introduction
1.1Introductions
2Act One
3Act Two
4Extended Passage Analysis
5Character Profiles
5.1Willy & Linda Loman
5.2Biff & Happy Loman
5.3Other Characters
6Key Themes
7Writing Techniques
7.1Structure
7.3Expressionism
8Historical Context
8.1Historical Context
9Literary Context
9.1Tragedy
10Critical Debates
10.1Introduction
10.2The Marxist Reading
10.3The Feminist Reading
10.4The Eco-Critical Reading
10.5Other Debates
Jump to other topics
1Introduction
1.1Introductions
2Act One
3Act Two
4Extended Passage Analysis
5Character Profiles
5.1Willy & Linda Loman
5.2Biff & Happy Loman
5.3Other Characters
6Key Themes
7Writing Techniques
7.1Structure
7.3Expressionism
8Historical Context
8.1Historical Context
9Literary Context
9.1Tragedy
10Critical Debates
10.1Introduction
10.2The Marxist Reading
10.3The Feminist Reading
10.4The Eco-Critical Reading
10.5Other Debates
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