Explore the presentation and dramatic functions of women in Death of a Salesman with particular focus on evaluating the role of Linda
In Death of a Salesman Linda Loman is a wife and mother, she is loyal and supportive of her family and tries to protect them. Linda suffers watching her husband Willy’s downfall. She loves and admires Willy and wants to make him happy but through this she encourages him and is partly to blame for his fall. She is contrasted to ‘the Woman’, who Willy has an affair with; the Woman shows the dangerous side of Willy whereas Linda represents the domestic and sensible side of Willy. Although the play is mainly told through Willy’s eyes, Linda provides an external viewpoint of Willy and acts as the voice of reason in the play.
Linda is a caring wife and throughout the play cares for Willy, she also protects him from the reality of many situations “Oh. Maybe it was the steering again.” She tries to protect him from the criticism of others and his own self criticism; she also reassures Willy that he is doing well in his job “You’re well-liked”. Linda admires Willy and almost treats Willy like a child, calming him down and reassuring him that everything is okay, and protecting him from the world. She describes Willy as “only a little boat look for a harbour.” Linda knows that Willy is suicidal but does not do anything about it; she doesn’t want to upset Willy. She knows about Willy borrowing money from Charley but keeps quiet because she knows it will hurt him if she thinks he is not doing well enough in his job. Linda even kicks Biff and Happy out in the fear that they will upset him “I don’t want you tormenting him anymore.” On the other hand, the Woman is shown as not caring about Willy at all, her carelessness leads to Biff finding out about his father’s affair and eventually Willy’s downfall. The Woman and Miss. Forsythe also contrast with Linda’s maternal theme, as they are used by men for pleasure and not to support them or help them.
