Explore the relationship between Linda and Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman.

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Gurleen Chaggar                LVI5

Explore the relationship between Linda and Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman

Linda is probably the most enigmatic and complex character in Death of a Salesman. Linda views freedom as an escape from debt, the reward of total ownership of the material goods that symbolise success and stability. Willy’s prolonged obsession with the American Dream seems, over the long years of his marriage, to have left Linda internally argumentative. Nevertheless, Linda, by far the toughest, most realistic, and most level-headed character in the play, appears to have kept her emotional life intact. As such, she represents the emotional core of the play.

        In the opening of the play, there is a long piece of narration, where the characters are first introduced. Miller describes Linda and refers to her “iron repression of her exceptions to WILLY’S behaviour – she more than loves him, she admires him as though his mercurial nature, his tamper, his massive dreams… longings which she shares but lacks the temperament to utter and follow to their end.” Miller has presented the reader with a lot of vital information about the relationship between Linda and Willy Loman and from this we as a reader can grasp that Linda is admirable towards Willy and that she is very supportive, as she has found a way to deal with Willy’s problems, by being part of his dreams and success.

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“Willy!” is the first line shouted by Linda in the play. This is very significant in the play, as Willy Loman is the protagonist character in the play, and all focus is on him. Linda is very attentive and carrying towards Willy and this is clearly shown when she asks, “Why? What happened? Did something happen, Willy?” She is concerned about Willy and she shows this through the use of questions one after the other. She then goes onto ask, “Don’t you feel well?” this shows her motherly and wifely duty, as she is worried about Willy and wants ...

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