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American Literature / Unit 17   AML 1640 short lesson, about 20 seconds

Willy Loman and the Tragedy of the Common Man

Captions available

The idea

Willy Loman is a marginally successful travelling salesman of women's undergarments who lives inside his own fantasies, including his dreams for his sons Biff and Happy. The witness calls the play a Greek tragedy for the twentieth century and Willy an everyman whose work produces nothing.

In practice

A common man, given a tragedy's shape.

Where people slip

His wife Linda says attention must be paid.

Your place on the trail

Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.

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