What do critics say about Arthur Miller's role in modern drama?
Arthur Miller's importance on modern drama extended to beyond art and into social notions of the good. The fact that Miller rose to prominence in post WWII America should not be lost on anyone. At this time, modern drama was seeking to identify its voice, as was American society. Miller's works gave voice to both. Whether it was his critique of the American dream in Death of a Salesman or his criticism of American paranoia in The Crucible , Miller espoused American freedom. His works gave the stage a voice and allowed American modern drama to serve as the voice of reason and fairness when the pendulum of American society tilted against such noble truths. For example, when American artists felt that in order to practice their profession they had to become informants for the government and identify people who they suspected as Communists for the House Unamerican Activities...
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Committee, Miller was the voice of protest. When Miller refused to "name names" and stood up to the bullying approach of the committee, he became a beacon for artistic freedom and the liberal values that helped to enliven the great sensibilities of a democracy. Modern American dramatists did not miss the fact that it was one of their own who stood up to the forces of American repression. Miller's voice gave credence to American drama and this element was present in his work. When he died, American drama dimmed the lights because it had lost a great advocate in Arthur Miller.
What are Arthur Miller's contributions to drama?
This is not an easy question to answer in view of the fact that Arthur Miller was one of the greatest dramatists of the twentieth century, not to mention the fact that he wrote for over six decades. Here are some contributions.
First, Miller was a poetic realist. This might seem like an odd juxtaposition, but it need not be. For instance, Miller showed the hollowness of the American dream in his work, The Death of a Salesman. Willy Loman was a tragic figure and represented the life of many people.
Second, Miller was also able to make social commentaries in a provocative way. For example, his third Broadway play, The Crucible (1953) dealt with the Salem witch trials of 1692. This work could have been seen as a social commentary on what senator Joseph McCarthy was doing in America. In fact, Miller had to stand before the Committee of Un-American Activities in 1956. While he was on trial, he famously stated, "My conscience will not permit me to use the name of another person and bring trouble to him."