Personal responsibility

Definition

Personal responsibility refers to the idea that individuals have the obligation to act ethically and to be accountable for their own actions, decisions, and well-being. In the context of social dramas, it emphasizes how characters navigate their moral choices within societal pressures, particularly regarding the pursuit of the American Dream and the consequences of those choices on themselves and others.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In Arthur Miller's plays, characters often grapple with their personal responsibilities against the backdrop of societal expectations and the American Dream.
2. Personal responsibility is a central theme in works like 'Death of a Salesman,' where Willy Loman's struggles highlight the consequences of neglecting accountability for one's life choices.
3. Miller illustrates that personal responsibility can lead to both empowerment and despair, as characters face the weight of their decisions amid external pressures.
4. The tension between individual aspirations and social obligations is a recurring motif in Miller's dramas, emphasizing how personal responsibility is shaped by one's environment.
5. Ultimately, Miller's exploration of personal responsibility reveals the complex interplay between dreams, ethics, and the impact of societal norms on individual lives.

Review Questions

• How does Arthur Miller portray personal responsibility in his social dramas, particularly regarding characters' relationships with the American Dream?
  • Miller portrays personal responsibility as a critical aspect of his characters' journeys toward or away from the American Dream. In plays like 'Death of a Salesman,' characters like Willy Loman struggle with their responsibilities to themselves and their families while chasing an often unattainable dream. Their inability or refusal to accept accountability for their choices leads to tragic consequences, showcasing how personal responsibility is intertwined with societal expectations.
• Discuss the implications of personal responsibility on character development in Miller's works, using specific examples from his plays.
  • In Miller's works, personal responsibility significantly shapes character development and transformation. For example, in 'All My Sons,' Joe Keller grapples with the moral implications of his actions during World War II and ultimately faces the consequences of his lack of accountability. This internal conflict forces him to confront his past decisions, illustrating how personal responsibility impacts not only individual identities but also familial relationships and moral standing within society.
• Evaluate how Miller’s depiction of personal responsibility challenges or reinforces traditional views of success associated with the American Dream.
  • Miller's depiction of personal responsibility challenges traditional views of success tied to the American Dream by highlighting its ethical complexities. Rather than portraying success as solely a result of hard work, Miller suggests that it also requires moral integrity and accountability. This nuanced portrayal shows that achieving the American Dream can come at a cost when personal responsibility is neglected, ultimately questioning whether societal definitions of success align with individual ethical standards and responsibilities.

Related terms

Accountability: The acceptance of responsibility for one's actions and their outcomes, often involving a willingness to be held answerable to others.

Moral Dilemma: A situation in which a person faces conflicting ethical choices, often resulting in a difficult decision regarding right and wrong.

American Dream:

The national ethos that promotes the idea that success is achievable through hard work and determination, but can also lead to unrealistic expectations and personal failures.