Source: https://senecalearning.com/en-gb/revision-notes/a-level/english-literature/aqa/death-of-a-salesman/6-1-5-men-and-women [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) › Men & Women # Men & Women English Lit: AQA A Level Death of a Salesman, topic 6.1.5 ## Willy's Relationships with Women The relationships between men and women in the play largely conform to conventional representations of the 1940/50s: men are the breadwinners while women are seen in a domestic role, as mother and housewife. ### Linda ![Linda](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/9d8f6ced-3ed9-4bd4-921e-d98e47f0fe96/shutterstock_225924757.jpg) - Linda acts in an almost maternal role in her marriage. - At the beginning of the play we see her comfort and console Willy, taking off his shoes, taking his jacket from him, soothing his ego and, in a revealing stage direction, treating him __“very carefully, delicately”__. - She is careful to avoid confronting Willy, knowing that this upsets him further, but, as a result, many commentators see her as being too passive, allowing Willy to, in Biff’s words, __“wipe the floor”__ with her. ### Linda’s passivity ![Linda’s passivity](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-11/cf62c0f7-4204-46c0-a640-65b61e651ffa/rubber-tube-black-.jpg) - One example of Linda’s passivity is her refusal to confront Willy about the piece of rubber tubing Willy has hid behind the gas heater. - Linda knows of Willy’s suicidal impulses but feels it would __“insult”__ Willy to mention it to him. - Therefore, at the heart of their marriage, there is a refusal to speak or confront the truth. ### Willy's guilt ![Willy's guilt](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-11/6c6453e3-59a1-4d46-80bc-7f7d326c002c/sew-sewing-pins-thimble-.jpg) - This sense of a dark secret at the heart of their marriage is amplified by Willy’s guilt about his infidelity. - This in turn leads to erratic behaviour from Willy e.g. when he reacts __“angrily”__ to Linda mending her pair of silk stockings. ### Willy's affair ![Willy's affair](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-11/1f3235d3-b4f6-4fd5-bbb8-7d57918c343f/stockings-legs-tights-.jpg) - The relationship between Willy and the Woman is only glimpsed in short scenes, but the flashes that we see reveal that both parties ‘gain something’ from the affair. - Willy is boosted by the reassurance offered by the Woman (__“You picked me, heh?”__) while she is quick to remind him that __“you promised me stockings, Willy!”__ - Willy and the Woman use each other for their own ends. ## Happy's Relationship with Women Happy’s relationships with women are troubled in that Happy uses them for some short-lived sense of victory or satisfaction. ### Work ![Work](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-09/f030eba3-b68d-4b3c-a597-26e9d34b9eef/today-list.jpeg) - The world of work is represented as an almost exclusively male world. - When women do appear in the workplace, it is as a secretary (Jenny). - As a result, ‘masculine’ traits are celebrated in the workplace, exemplified by Happy’s competitiveness (__“I’m gonna win it for him”__) and Howard’s hard-headedness (__“business is business”__). ### Womanising ![Womanising](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-08/285eb045-4eac-401c-bf3e-52fb5aad4157/man-woman-bed-chaste.jpg) - Happy’s relationships with women are troubled in that Happy uses them for some short-lived sense of victory or satisfaction. - His compulsive womanising, sleeping with the partners of his superiors at work, is driven by a need to prove himself against the __“pompous, self-important executives”__ he works with. ### Women as sport ![Women as sport](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-11/03a60e25-80f5-451a-ad11-5556a8861dc0/bowling-ball-pins-.jpg) - As Happy himself explains to Biff: __“it gets like bowling or something. I just keep knockin’ them over and it doesn’t mean a thing”.__ - The metaphor is revealing: for Happy, his relationships with women are a sport. ### Objectification of women ![Objectification of women](https://image-v2.cdn.app.senecalearning.com/2018-03/84b2f4f2-980a-424d-b76a-cebe7c12fcf9/shutterstock_714538813.jpg) - Happy objectifies women throughout the play, reminiscing about the __“pig”__ with who he shared his __“first time”__ and then later telling Stanley, the waiter, __“Strudel’s comin’”__ before the entrance of Miss Forsythe. - Happy’s dialogue with Miss Forsythe is also full of innuendo, for example when Happy asks __“You don’t happen to sell, do you?”__ implying that she may be a prostitute. ## Test yourself on Men & Women - What does Linda refuse to confront Willy about? - What does Happy's dialogue with Miss Forsythe imply? [Practise this topic for free](https://app.senecalearning.com/classroom/course/0ea58589-a992-4e79-bf61-475395194436/section/0a34b21b-e41a-46b4-ae55-3d276388104e/session) - Previous topic: [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) - Next topic: [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) ## 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)