Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/10-5-2-the-critics

[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) › The Critics

# The Critics

English Lit: AQA A Level Death of a Salesman, topic 10.5.2

## Eric Bentley

For Eric Bentley, the play is not a satisfactory tragedy.

### Lack of terror

![Lack of terror](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/cd6a5bdc-0a17-44fa-ac08-37a8d11c9e91/depressed-depression-sad-crying.jpg)

- Bentley argues that, although audiences may feel __“pity”__, Willy is too lowly and pathetic a figure to inspire __“terror”__.

### Lack of resolution

![Lack of resolution](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/631331f4-8b91-428c-80c7-d962f66887a8/cemetery-morbid-death-die-.jpg)

- Bentley also argued that the play never resolves the question of who is responsible for Willy’s death: is Willy the victim of his own tragic flaw or is he brought down by external (e.g. socio-economic) forces?

### No man's land

![No man's land](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/cf0e50f0-a9cb-4c53-89b8-0158c34e8879/death-coffin-funeral-.jpg)

- For Bentley, Miller’s play falls between two stools – the tragedy and the socio-political play – and, as a result, ends up being neither.

## Harold Bloom

For Harold Bloom, the play is a tragedy __“despite itself”__.

### Not a tragedy

![Not a tragedy](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/e7a15c06-0493-41f7-868d-2f7457e0d6f0/autumn-death-graveyard-tombstone-.jpg)

- The play does not work as a tragedy in that Willy never achieves self-knowledge and the society of the play is not __“cleansed”__ by Willy’s death.

### A tragedy

![A tragedy](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/b8a50c91-d3b6-4b50-a1d3-590674dae798/thought-light-bulb-bubble-.jpg)

- But Willy’s death leads to Biff’s path to self-knowledge, while also __“releasing”__ Biff from following Willy’s destructive dream.

## Stephen Barker

Stephen Barker sees the play as a Nietzschean tragedy.

### Nietzsche

![Nietzsche](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-04/e9ecc2a5-96e3-4672-a1f4-94b63b965d63/shutterstock_513930991.jpg)

- The German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) argued that human life was essentially meaningless and that __“God is dead”__. 
- Nietzsche saw tragedy as an art-form allowing audiences to recognise this truth.

### Lack of closure

![Lack of closure](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-11/adf4d8fe-823f-4a8b-be22-6856a0213f2f/sad-crying-depressed-.jpg)

- For Nietzsche, tragedy does not offer closure or understanding and Barker argues that _Death of a Salesman_ conforms to this. 
- Willy kills himself for nothing and that Linda is the key figure in the play’s closing Requiem in that she does not understand Willy’s final act: __“Why did you do it?”__

### Lies

![Lies](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-11/67cc2a9b-d33c-4950-ad8f-7af6b306004b/truth-times-newspaper-true-.jpg)

- Barker also sees the play as a Nietzschean tragedy in that it conforms to Nietzsche’s views that, as life was often unbearably cruel and painful, human beings essentially lie to each other in order to survive. 
- For Barker, Willy has spent his life lying to himself about who he really is and the Requiem shows that Happy will continue to follow Willy’s delusions (__“he had a good dream”__).

## Test yourself on The Critics

- What question does Bentley say the play never answers?
- Why does Harold Bloom say _Death of a Salesman_ does NOT work as a tragedy?
- According to Harold Bloom, who gains self-knowledge as a result of Willy's death?
- How does Willy's death benefit Biff (according to Harold Bloom)?
- Which of these are true of Friedrich Nietzsche?

[Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/0ea58589-a992-4e79-bf61-475395194436/section/fed6815a-60f6-46a7-8af3-d56e908e2307/session)

- Previous topic: [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)
- Next topic: [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)

## 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)