Critics Views Flashcards
What is marxism?
The depiction of society is dependant upon consumerism and is a product of capitalism
What does Marx believe to lead to alienation from a capitalists own humanity?
Workers are exploited by their employers
Negative impact on capitalists who throw all their energy into acquiring material wealth
What is Willy both a victim and a functionary of politically?
Capitalism and consumerism
What was Eleanor Clark’s view on Willy as a victim of capitalism?
“It is the capitalist system that has done Willy in”
“Form of money economy that has bread the absurdly false ideals of both fathers and sons”
Why did Jeffrey Mason suggest as to why an audience doesn’t rebel against the class structure or the capitalist system?
It is the capitalist system and class structure that restricts Willy, though the audience only see him in personal terms
How did Raymond Williams counter Jeffrey Mason’s suggestion?
Raymond Williams sees Willy as “the image of a salesman” and that he is used as a “commodity”
How would a feminist view Linda in the play?
As the archetypical supporting wife and loving mother.
She can also be seen as a nurturing figure
How did Guerin Bliquez interpret Linda’s role in the play?
“To overlook the part she plays in her husband’s pathetic downfall is to miss one of the most profound levels in Miller’s subtle structuring”
“She accepts a liar, a cheat and a pompous fraud
What was Janet Balakian and Kay Stanton’s feminist interpretation of the play as a whole?
The play is an expression as to how men depend on the exploitation of women to maintain their foothold in the quest for advancement
What is the effect of the audience never seeing Linda leave the house?
Linda is seen carrying the washing in mobile concurrency which represents her meaningless work and that she is a house wife, stereotypical
What is the effect of Willy telling Linda: “kiss the life out of you”
It was intended as a statement of love though it is in fact a lie and meaningless. This can be interpreted through the laughing of the woman in the background, which portrays Willy’s guilt
What is the effect of Linda saying: “If you can’t have any feelings for him (Willy) then you can’t have any feelings for me”
Linda defines herself to be part of Willy and shows that she is completely oblivious to his infidelity
How is it shown that Happy is more misogynistic than Biff?
Happy lies to Miss Forsythe and impresses her through false pretences
Moreover, Happy objectifies and demeans women:
“like bowling or something. I just keep knocking them over and it doesn’t mean anything”
Who was Sigmund Freud?
He created psychoanalysis, a new approach to understanding human personality
What was the Oedipus complex?
A boys tendency for him to have sexual feelings for his mother while wanting to replace his father in her affections
