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Nemerov Common Man

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In his poem “Life Cycle of Common Man,” American writer Howard Nemerov summarizes what it means to be a “common man.” While his poem boasts enticing imagery and exceptional style, Nemerov captivates the reader mainly with his impactful message regarding commonality. Likewise, playwright Arthur Miller discusses the common man with his play “Death of a Salesman.” Though it is not evident upon the reader’s initial glance, the thematic observations concerning the common man are unsurprisingly similar in both Nemerov’s poem and Miller’s play.
Only several lines into “Life Cycle of Common Man,” Nemerov describes the common man, “this man of moderate habits,” (1), with numerous negative statements--he explains how an incalculable number of beasts …show more content…

As he writes about the common man’s actions, Nemerov explains, “He did… What? The usual things, of course,” (20). And, the “usual things” are apparently “eating, dreaming, drinking and begetting,” (21). Since the common man follows what the rest of society does (hence, he is “common”), Nemerov’s poem acts as commentary on the society he lived in. Likewise, Miller’s play parallels this concept. Miller’s common man, Willy, is not anyone’s ideal citizen, or any similar, morally upstanding model. But, he is the common man--he is simply acting in accordance with the values that society teaches him. Willy may have unlikeable characteristics, but he only has these traits because the present-day American civilization teaches him to have these traits. After Willy’s death, his friend and neighbor, Charley, repeats: “They wouldn’t blame him… Nobody dast blame this man,” (137-138). Nobody blames Willy, because again, he is just doing what society insists he should do. Thus, as Nemerov and Miller’s versions of the common man mirror modern societal values, it is evident to the reader that both writers skillfully utilize the common man’s features to convey a similar thematic purpose: expressing commentary on America’s current cultural …show more content…

Like F. Scott Fitzgerald’s famous character, Jay Gatsby (a working-class man), Miller’s common man, Willy, has a funeral that few people attend. Willy’s wife Linda first asks, “Why didn’t anybody come?” And, she then inquires, “But where are all the people he [Willy] knew?” (137). Evidently, Miller’s description of Willy’s funeral suggests that no one cares when the common man dies. Similarly, Nemerov illustrates the average man’s speech, as well as this average man’s “lengthening trail of empty bottles and bones, of broken shoes, frayed collars…” (15-16) and other products of a typical consumerist lifestyle. However, no one will remember Nemerov’s common man for anything except his few, tragic qualities and his garbage. As his poem concludes, Nemerov even requests the reader to “[c]onsider the courage in all that, and behold the man walking into deep silence…” (37-38). And, as both Miller and Nemerov address the unfortunate aspect of commonality, the reader can once again interpret the writers’ commentary on modern society. Since the common man acts as a reflection of society’s values, the reader is able to recognize the faults in the common man’s life. Consequently, the reader can additionally perceive how those same faults are present in his or her own society. In this way, both writers effectively describe a common man who is a perfectly relatable manifestation of modern American society. For example,

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