Glimpses on History in the Development of Neurosis and Depression in the Life of Arthur Miller: With Respect to His Plays

Arthur Miller’s growth as a creative visionary has been shaped by many influences, of which two are prominently traced out. First, the influence he inherited and second, that he experienced during the period of his growth. Both the forces are equally responsible in providing a personality that Miller claims to be his own. The tragic impulses the audience find in his plays are the creation of a creative faculty that is unique and belongs only to Arthur Miller. There were many playwrights who were his contemporary, and who shone, in some respects, brighter than he could. But, none could mesmerise the audience with such piercing accuracy, as Miller could. Undoubtedly, Miller’s contemporaries are great in their own right and in their own chosen areas. But, Miller’s area of creativity, that is, the genre of social tragedy remains unintersected by any of his contemporaries. His contemporaries, Tennessee Williams and Edward Albee, and his seniors, Elmer Rice and O’Neill, do have their impact on Miller. Miller is shaped by many other influences.

Arthur Miller’s growth as a creative visionary has been shaped by many influences, of which two are prominently traced out. First, the influence he inherited and second, that he experienced during the period of his growth. Both the forces are equally responsible in providing a personality that Miller claims to be his own. The tragic impulses the audience find in his plays are the creation of a creative faculty that is unique and belongs only to Arthur Miller. There were many playwrights who were his contemporary, and who shone, in some respects, brighter than he could. But, none could mesmerise the audience with such piercing accuracy, as Miller could. Undoubtedly, Miller’s contemporaries are great in their own right and in their own chosen areas. But, Miller’s area of creativity, that is, the genre of social tragedy remains unintersected by any of his contemporaries. His contemporaries, Tennessee Williams and Edward Albee, and his seniors, Elmer Rice and O’Neill, do have their impact on Miller. Miller is shaped by many other influences.