10.4.3

Post-pastoral

Test yourself

Post-Pastoral

It is possible to read Death of a Salesman as a post-pastoral text.

Illustrative background for Post-pastoral Illustrative background for Post-pastoral  ?? "content

Post-pastoral

  • Death of a Salesman can perhaps be read as a post-pastoral text in that it (briefly) exposes the economic reality of rural life in the mid-20th Century.
Illustrative background for Making a livingIllustrative background for Making a living ?? "content

Making a living

  • Biff admits to only earning “twenty eight dollars a week” on the ranch and, as such, has no realistic hope of raising the “ten thousand dollars” needed to buy a ranch.
Illustrative background for Reality of the countrysideIllustrative background for Reality of the countryside ?? "content

Reality of the countryside

  • As Happy asks Biff, “what can you make out there?”
  • Although the myth of the American countryside appeals to men such as Willy and Biff, the reality remains that, without money, it too can be a harsh environment.

Jump to other topics

1Introduction

2Act One

3Act Two

4Extended Passage Analysis

5Character Profiles

6Key Themes

7Writing Techniques

8Historical Context

9Literary Context

10Critical Debates

11Recap: Main Quotes

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium