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About this quote

What does it mean?
Miller suggests that effective drama reveals hidden ironies and contradictions in human life.
In plain terms
Good plays show the funny and tragic contradictions in life.
What can you take from it?
Art thrives on exposing the hidden truths of existence.

Where it applies

  • writing plays
  • analyzing stories
  • understanding human nature

Putting it to work

  • look for hidden irony
  • explore life's contradictions
  • observe human behavior

Questions to consider

  • What irony do you see in your life?
  • How does art reveal truth?

Another view

Not all art succeeds in revealing deep truths or ironies.

More from Arthur Miller

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  2. A good newspaper, I suppose, is a nation talking to itself.

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  3. By whatever means it is accomplished, the prime business of a play is to arouse the passions of its audience so that by the route of passion may be opened up n…

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