Essay about The Enduring Allure of Tragedy - 974 Words

According to Aristotle, the appeal of tragedy, at its foundation, is katharsis: a purgation of the emotions pity and fear (Kennedy and Gioia 1203). Although scholars do not entirely agree on his meaning, it seems Aristotle had observed something that rings true today: that witnessing a person falling from the apex of achievement, to become humbled and utterly ruined, is inexplicably pleasurable. This is seldom more obvious today than in the keen attention paid to politicians embroiled in scandal, or celebrities having public meltdowns. Like the dramatic tragedies throughout the ages, those observing cannot help but become transfixed. When observed in literature or television it is harmless entertainment, often prompting deep†¦show more content†¦Even with the knowledge that he was destined to kill his father and wed his mother, his ignorance of his birth is his undoing. Willy’s ignorance is less tangible: he doesn’t understand what it takes to become succe ssful, nor does seem to have a flexible definition of what success is. His narrow view precludes him from finding work he enjoys, robs him of time with his family, and leave him alienated from his adult children. This leaves him doubly bitter at the end, as he has emerged a failure, and he hasn’t even enjoyed life along the way. While neither man is truly blameless in his troubles, it is difficult to suppress empathy for those who are ruined by ignorance. Neither man could know that he did not know. Likewise, both men are confronted with truths over the course of the story which they failed to internalize. Both are suspicious that something is off, as is evinced by Oedipus asking his parents if he is their child (Sophocles 1226), and Willy first asking Ben, and then the grown Bernard for the secret of how they â€Å"did it† (Miller 1802, 1806). In the case of Oedipus, he was willfully deceived by his adoptive parents, whereas Willy’s wife Linda spends the entirety of their marriage assuring him (and everyone else) that everything is as it should be, even as he slides into dementia. These falsehoods, though well intentioned, are enough to keep the men’s doubts in check, and theyShow MoreRelatedJoseph Conrad s Heart Of Darkness1198 Words   |  5 PagesAlthough Conrad’s purpose is certainly not to perpetuate racism and advocate for an enduring policy of white supremacy, there are racist elements underlying the entirety of the story from a modern per spective. Although he uses loaded language and anecdotal evidence, Achebe certainly makes a valid point that as an inherently dehumanizing and racist novel, Heart of Darkness should no longer be considered an enduring piece of literature. Joseph Conrad depicts the African landscape as a primordial andRead MoreAldous Huxley s Brave New World1660 Words   |  7 Pagesyou only realize it s a delusion at the end of the road† (â€Å"Quotes about Mirage†). Undeniably, the quest of perpetual happiness bares an ancient path that allures pursuers with the promise of vanished pain. As one follows this trail of faded footsteps, their vision of reality soon becomes blurred by their dreams of prosperity. Thus, this enduring road guides one into the deep waters of oblivion where their mind becomes flooded with the whispers of fantasies. In Aldous Huxley’s novel, Brave New WorldRead More Mary Shelleys Frankenstein Essay1622 Words   |  7 PagesMary Shelleys Frankenstein Nineteen-year-old Mary Shelley didn’t know when she began it that her â€Å"ghost story† would become an enduring part of classic literature. Frankenstein is an admirable work simply for its captivating plot. To the careful reader, however, Shelley’s tale offers complex insights into human experience. The reader identifies with all of the major characters and is left to heed or ignore the cautions that their situations provide. Shelley uses the second person narrativeRead MoreDeveloping Management Skills404131 Words   |  1617 Pagesaway. It doesn’t do any good to argue. c. Listen ï ¬ rst, and then try to discuss the issue. 11. When I encounter someone who has just experienced a major loss or tragedy, I . . . a. Really don’t know what to do or say. b. Tell the person I feel very sorry and try to provide support. c. Share a time when I experienced a similar loss or tragedy. 12. When someone makes a racist joke or tells a crude story about a m ember of the opposite sex in mixed company, I usually . . . a. Point out that this is inappropriate