Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/10-4-1-eco-critical-analysis

[Revision notes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes.md) › [A Level](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level.md) › [English Lit](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature.md) › [AQA](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa.md) › [English Lit: AQA A Level Death of a Salesman](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman.md) › Eco-Critical Analysis

# Eco-Critical Analysis

English Lit: AQA A Level Death of a Salesman, topic 10.4.1

## Eco-Critical Analysis

Like feminism and Marxism, eco-criticism examines power relations but it does so from the perspective of our natural environment and the impact humanity is having on it.

### Eco-criticism

![Eco-criticism](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/bc8e668b-cabd-42d7-9fb7-e9986084fae3/shutterstock_301746953.jpg)

- Eco-criticism is a relatively new way of examining texts, emerging from the Green movement which began to organise politically in the 1980s. 
- Like feminism and Marxism, eco-criticism examines power relations but it does so from the perspective of our natural environment and the impact humanity is having on it.

### 1. Connection

![1. Connection](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/423dbff4-848f-43f6-934b-ce8dde8c95c9/Internet-World-Computer-Networks-Wireless-.jpg)

- The following ideas are central tenets of eco-critical thinking:
  - 1. “Everything is connected to everything else” and eco-criticism should explore how nature and humanity are interconnected.

### 2. Contrast

![2. Contrast](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/dc02ed2c-c34a-4ba5-9a54-c69cd1128807/england-countryside.jpg)

- 2. Early forms of nature writing (e.g. the pastoral tradition of the 16th and 17th centuries) would contrast rural and urban life, associating the countryside with innocence and the town or city with corruption.

### 3. Realities of the countryside

![3. Realities of the countryside](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/5766aa5a-1e96-4f71-a53d-951aa50dff01/england-69582_1920.jpg)

- 3. More modern criticism (the post-pastoral tradition) considers earlier ideas of the pastoral as being “false” or “escapist” in that they hide or cover over the realities of the countryside.
-  E.g. the unequal power relations between landowner and labourer

### 4. Exploitation

![4. Exploitation](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/23422a3f-e4b2-4cf9-8e26-3bc72a733d10/person-indian-crops-woman-ethnic-.jpg)

- 4. The exploitation of the planet is connected to the traditional exploitation of women and minorities – eco-feminism.

### Eco-critical considerations

![Eco-critical considerations](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-07/a83f0165-a4bf-4829-aa27-263d822be3d9/jewish-woman-praying.jpg)

- As a result, eco-critical approaches to literature may include:
  - Exploring how nature (or the wild, or the city) is represented in a text.
  - Examining how a writer creates and uses settings.
  - Analysing the imagery used to describe nature.
  - Considering if men and women write about nature differently.

## Test yourself on Eco-Critical Analysis

[Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/0ea58589-a992-4e79-bf61-475395194436/section/25ab38f7-b973-43ef-ba1d-43ffe771e0a2/session)

- Previous topic: [10.3.2 The Feminist Reading](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/10-3-2-the-feminist-reading.md)
- Next topic: [10.4.2 The Eco-Critical Reading](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/10-4-2-the-eco-critical-reading.md)

## English Lit: AQA A Level Death of a Salesman contents

### 1 Introduction
- 1.1 Introductions
  - [1.1.1 Author](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/1-1-1-author.md)
  - [1.1.2 Historical Context](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/1-1-2-historical-context.md)
  - [1.1.3 Setting](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/1-1-3-setting.md)
  - [1.1.4 Social Issues](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/1-1-4-social-issues.md)

### 2 Act One
- 2.1 Key Events
  - [2.1.1 Staging](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/2-1-1-staging.md)
  - [2.1.2 Key Events 1&2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/2-1-2-key-events-1and2.md)
  - [2.1.3 Key Events 3&4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/2-1-3-key-events-3and4.md)
  - [2.1.4 Key Events 5&6](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/2-1-4-key-events-5and6.md)
  - [2.1.5 Key Events 7&8](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/2-1-5-key-events-7and8.md)
  - [2.1.6 Key Events 9&10](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/2-1-6-key-events-9and10.md)
  - [2.1.7 Key Events 11&12](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/2-1-7-key-events-11and12.md)
- 2.2 Key Themes & Literary Techniques
  - [2.2.1 Foreshadowing, Flashbacks, Settings](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/2-2-1-foreshadowing-flashbacks-settings.md)
  - [2.2.2 Family, Reality, Fantasy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/2-2-2-family-reality-fantasy.md)

### 3 Act Two
- 3.1 Key Events
  - [3.1.1 Key Events 1&2](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/3-1-1-key-events-1and2.md)
  - [3.1.2 Key Events 3&4](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/3-1-2-key-events-3and4.md)
  - [3.1.3 Key Events 5&6](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/3-1-3-key-events-5and6.md)
  - [3.1.4 Key Events 7&8](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/3-1-4-key-events-7and8.md)
  - [3.1.5 Key Events 9&10](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/3-1-5-key-events-9and10.md)
- 3.2 Key Themes & Links
  - [3.2.1 Pride](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/3-2-1-pride.md)
  - [3.2.2 Metaphor](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/3-2-2-metaphor.md)
  - [3.2.3 Self-Realisation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/3-2-3-self-realisation.md)

### 4 Extended Passage Analysis
- 4.1 Act One
  - [4.1.1 Staging](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/4-1-1-staging.md)
  - [4.1.2 The Woman](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/4-1-2-the-woman.md)
- 4.2 Act Two
  - [4.2.1 In Howard’s Office](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/4-2-1-in-howards-office.md)
  - [4.2.2 The Final Confrontation](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/4-2-2-the-final-confrontation.md)
  - [4.2.3 The Requiem](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/4-2-3-the-requiem.md)

### 5 Character Profiles
- 5.1 Willy & Linda Loman
  - [5.1.1 Willy Loman](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/5-1-1-willy-loman.md)
  - [5.1.2 Linda Loman](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/5-1-2-linda-loman.md)
- 5.2 Biff & Happy Loman
  - [5.2.1 Biff Loman](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/5-2-1-biff-loman.md)
  - [5.2.2 Biff's Relationship with Willy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/5-2-2-biffs-relationship-with-willy.md)
  - [5.2.3 Happy Loman](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/5-2-3-happy-loman.md)
- 5.3 Other Characters
  - [5.3.1 Uncle Ben](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/5-3-1-uncle-ben.md)
  - [5.3.2 Charley](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/5-3-2-charley.md)
  - [5.3.3 Bernard](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/5-3-3-bernard.md)

### 6 Key Themes
- 6.1 Concepts
  - [6.1.1 The American Dream](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/6-1-1-the-american-dream.md)
  - [6.1.2 Fathers & Sons](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/6-1-2-fathers-and-sons.md)
  - [6.1.3 Nature & the City](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/6-1-3-nature-and-the-city.md)
  - [6.1.4 Success](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/6-1-4-success.md)
  - [6.1.5 Men & Women](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/6-1-5-men-and-women.md)

### 7 Writing Techniques
- 7.1 Structure
  - [7.1.1 Act One](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/7-1-1-act-one.md)
  - [7.1.2 Act Two](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/7-1-2-act-two.md)
- 7.2 Realism
  - [7.2.1 Introduction](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/7-2-1-introduction.md)
  - [7.2.2 Staging](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/7-2-2-staging.md)
  - [7.2.3 Language](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/7-2-3-language.md)
- 7.3 Expressionism
  - [7.3.1 Introduction](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/7-3-1-introduction.md)
  - [7.3.2 Staging](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/7-3-2-staging.md)
  - [7.3.3 Music](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/7-3-3-music.md)
- 7.4 Symbolism
  - [7.4.1 The Garden / Seeds](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/7-4-1-the-garden-seeds.md)
  - [7.4.2 Diamonds](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/7-4-2-diamonds.md)
  - [7.4.3 Alaska & Africa](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/7-4-3-alaska-and-africa.md)
- 7.5 Motifs
  - [7.5.1 Introduction](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/7-5-1-introduction.md)
  - [7.5.2 Cars](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/7-5-2-cars.md)
  - [7.5.3 Silk Stockings](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/7-5-3-silk-stockings.md)
  - [7.5.4 Money](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/7-5-4-money.md)
  - [7.5.5 Mythological Figures](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/7-5-5-mythological-figures.md)

### 8 Historical Context
- 8.1 Historical Context
  - [8.1.1 Miller’s Family & The Great Depression](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/8-1-1-millers-family-and-the-great-depression.md)
  - [8.1.2 America’s Recovery](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/8-1-2-americas-recovery.md)

### 9 Literary Context
- 9.1 Tragedy
  - [9.1.1 Introduction](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/9-1-1-introduction.md)
- 9.2 Applying Tragic Concepts
  - [9.2.1 The Tragic Hero](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/9-2-1-the-tragic-hero.md)
  - [9.2.2 The Tragic Flaw](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/9-2-2-the-tragic-flaw.md)
  - [9.2.3 Recognition](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/9-2-3-recognition.md)
  - [9.2.4 Emotional Release](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/9-2-4-emotional-release.md)
  - [9.2.5 Chaos & Disorder](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/9-2-5-chaos-and-disorder.md)
  - [9.2.6 Revenge](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/9-2-6-revenge.md)
  - [9.2.7 Inevitability](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/9-2-7-inevitability.md)

### 10 Critical Debates
- 10.1 Introduction
  - [10.1.1 Introduction](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/10-1-1-introduction.md)
- 10.2 The Marxist Reading
  - [10.2.1 Marxist Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/10-2-1-marxist-analysis.md)
  - [10.2.2 The Marxist Reading](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/10-2-2-the-marxist-reading.md)
- 10.3 The Feminist Reading
  - [10.3.1 Feminist Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/10-3-1-feminist-analysis.md)
  - [10.3.2 The Feminist Reading](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/10-3-2-the-feminist-reading.md)
- 10.4 The Eco-Critical Reading
  - [10.4.1 Eco-Critical Analysis](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/10-4-1-eco-critical-analysis.md)
  - [10.4.2 The Eco-Critical Reading](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/10-4-2-the-eco-critical-reading.md)
  - [10.4.3 Post-pastoral](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/10-4-3-post-pastoral.md)
- 10.5 Other Debates
  - [10.5.1 The Play as Tragedy](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/10-5-1-the-play-as-tragedy.md)
  - [10.5.2 The Critics](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/10-5-2-the-critics.md)

### 11 Recap: Main Quotes
- 11.1 Characters Quotes
  - [11.1.1 Willy Loman](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/11-1-1-willy-loman.md)
  - [11.1.2 Linda Loman](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/11-1-2-linda-loman.md)
  - [11.1.3 Biff Loman](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/11-1-3-biff-loman.md)
  - [11.1.4 Happy Loman](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/11-1-4-happy-loman.md)
  - [11.1.5 Uncle Ben](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/11-1-5-uncle-ben.md)
  - [11.1.6 Charley](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/11-1-6-charley.md)
  - [11.1.7 Bernard](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/11-1-7-bernard.md)
- 11.2 Quotes by Act
  - [11.2.1 Act One: Key Events 1-3 Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/11-2-1-act-one-key-events-1-3-quotes.md)
  - [11.2.2 Act One: Key Events 4-6 Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/11-2-2-act-one-key-events-4-6-quotes.md)
  - [11.2.3 Act One: Key Events 7-9 Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/11-2-3-act-one-key-events-7-9-quotes.md)
  - [11.2.4 Act One: Key Events 10-12 Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/11-2-4-act-one-key-events-10-12-quotes.md)
  - [11.2.5 Act One: Stage Direction Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/11-2-5-act-one-stage-direction-quotes.md)
  - [11.2.6 Act One: The Woman Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/11-2-6-act-one-the-woman-quotes.md)
  - [11.2.7 Act Two: Key Events 1-2 Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/11-2-7-act-two-key-events-1-2-quotes.md)
  - [11.2.8 Act Two: Key Events 3-4 Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/11-2-8-act-two-key-events-3-4-quotes.md)
  - [11.2.9 Act Two: Key Events 5-6 Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/11-2-9-act-two-key-events-5-6-quotes.md)
  - [11.2.10 Act Two: Key Events 7-8 Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/11-2-10-act-two-key-events-7-8-quotes.md)
  - [11.2.11 Act Two: Key Events 9-10 Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/11-2-11-act-two-key-events-9-10-quotes.md)
  - [11.2.12 Act Two: Howard's Office Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/11-2-12-act-two-howards-office-quotes.md)
  - [11.2.13 Act Two: The Requiem Quotes](https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/11-2-13-act-two-the-requiem-quotes.md)