Examine the presentation of Linda in this part of the play.Extract -Page 38, Linda: No. You can't just come to see me Page 41, Linda: Shallowness of the water that saved him.
Examine the presentation of Linda in this part of the play.
Extract -Page 38, Linda: No. You can't just come to see me
Page 41, Linda: Shallowness of the water that saved him.
When we first meet Linda, she appears to be a 'jovial' woman; content with her husband and accepting of his faults and behaviour. She is described as a doting, loving wife with little confidence and self esteem, which she requires to follow through with her own ambitions. Yet, she is adequately happy to live through Willy. It is this first impression that makes Linda's behaviour in the given extract so shocking, but touching. She is standing up for herself, having her voice heard on Willy's behalf, as if she is in debt to him because she has lived her life through him. She is acting completely out of character and is very open. This is the complete opposite to what we expect from Linda; normally a very quiet, caring, withdrawn woman. At this point, she is still showing total devotion to Willy, acting out and opening up for his sake. She is extremely loyal to him throughout the extract, even though he has wronged her in the past and failed to provide the American Dream for them both. This indicates a very focused, mentally strong and capable woman, acting with total altruism.
It is obvious from Linda's unexpected outburst and attitude that she is desperately worried for Willy because of his state of mind. The way she is seemingly pleading with her sons is a cry for help on Willy's behalf. As an adoring wife, Linda totally understands Willy and understands that he needs help and support to overcome his unstable position. Linda feels that Biff and Happy are being ungrateful towards their father's hardship after all he provided for them and the encouragement he gave them. Linda is now refusing to overlook the filial ingratitude Willy is experiencing like she once did. This implies that Linda's confidence and self esteem is rising. Linda's awareness of Willy's state of mind and her son's ingratitude is emphasized by the simile: 'He's not to be allowed to fall into his grave like an old dog'. This indicates that Linda still has great respect towards Willy, and wants his old age to be dignified, with the love and support of his family. The repetition of 'attention' implies that the boys are too self-focused and shows Linda's urgency and immediacy in obtaining help off Biff and Happy. This could also be interpreted, however, as Linda acting desperately because she no longer knows how to act or what to do in her present situation, or Linda taking charge and trying to change the circumstances her and Willy are currently.
At the beginning of the extract, Linda tests her authority over Biff and Happy. She orders Biff to make up his mind, commanding him not to visit her unless he visits to see both Linda and Willy. This again indicates complete loyalty and faithfulness to Willy from Linda. Her speech is dominated with devotion and passion, implied mainly by the stage direction 'with a threat of tears'. This stage direction suggests Linda is desperate for help. She obviously loves Willy passionately and unconditionally to be so frantically worried, and by threatening tears, she is making her sons feel ...
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At the beginning of the extract, Linda tests her authority over Biff and Happy. She orders Biff to make up his mind, commanding him not to visit her unless he visits to see both Linda and Willy. This again indicates complete loyalty and faithfulness to Willy from Linda. Her speech is dominated with devotion and passion, implied mainly by the stage direction 'with a threat of tears'. This stage direction suggests Linda is desperate for help. She obviously loves Willy passionately and unconditionally to be so frantically worried, and by threatening tears, she is making her sons feel guilty. Then again, this can also be seen as a tactic of securing the boys and the audience's attention which, consequently, makes them start to sympathise with Linda's position and causes the boys to feel ashamed of their behaviour. Yet, throughout the extract, Linda continues to address her sons with clear affection, using phrases such as 'my baby' and 'darling' constantly. This is an indication that Linda still has a close and very fond relationship with both Biff and Happy.
Linda is apparently shocked that her sons, who she loves dearly, can be so oblivious to the pain and suffering of someone else she loves so dearly. It is obvious that when the boys were younger, they were Willy's domain and Linda took a step back which allowed Willy to influence Biff and Happy. It was Willy who provided for them, encouraged their athleticism and bought them things, such as the punch bag. Now, Linda is harshly and bluntly telling the boys about their father's odd behaviour; what they could not see. Linda's challenging of authority can also be used to help describe her relationship with her sons. The sentence 'You pay him that respect or else your not to come here' suggests Linda is prepared to and confident enough to push forward an ultimatum; one which she is prioritising her husband over her sons. This is a sign of Linda's control over the situation increasing as well as her own personal strength and self-assurance. Linda's character is becoming more eloquent and authoritative, encouraged by her passionate and distressed feelings towards Willy's state of mind and erratic behaviour. The sentence is also a part of a very moving and touching speech from Linda. She loves Biff and Happy but is insensitive and truthful because she wants them to be aware of Willy's situation and less self-focused. She is hurting for Willy. By doing this, Linda is opposing her usual and expected reserved and introvert nature.
The short exclamatory phrases used, such as 'And you!' aimed at Biff, illustrates Linda's disgust in Biffs disrespect and insolence towards Willy. Conversely, Biff has a lot of respect and consideration for Linda, more so than Happy because Biff is knowledgeable of Willy's mistreatment of Linda by him having an affair. Biff is also very loyal to Linda without her realising. Although Biff is suspicious that Linda knows of Willy's affair, he refrains from confirming these suspicions as Biff appreciates how attentive Linda is to his father, and how hurt she would be if she found out. This is Linda's one fragment of vulnerability; her devotion to Willy is expected in return, and it is apparent that Linda could not survive without Willy in the same way that Willy could not survive without her. Happy also loves and respects Linda a great deal, obviously indicated by him saying that he would like to settle down with a girl like her previously in the play:
'Like mom, y'know?'
Linda makes Biff and happy feel responsible for Willy's actions because they are not around to fend for him. This is Linda manipulating the boys with her new found self esteem and confidence, and she focuses on Biff in particular. By making the boys feel remorseful, Linda is encouraging her own out of character behaviour and creates a stronger sense of self and assertion during this extract. She describes Willy's life as being depressing and worthless without Biff and Happy around, perhaps foreshadowing the sudden outburst about his attempts to commit suicide. This is indicating Linda's desperation and pleading, almost begging, for assistance on Willy's behalf. This startling behaviour and approach from Linda suggests Linda's passionate dedication to her family is her main concentration and she will override her usual character to correct or change any wrongs within it. She is callously honest to her sons whilst attempting to get them to understand her perspective, and this is implied by Linda calling Happy a 'philandering bum'.
As a totally trustworthy wife, Linda is considerate of Willy's privacy and lapses, suggested by her saying to Biff 'don't go near him!'. This is again showing Linda demanding authority. Furthermore, her loyal and deferential nature is shown when she addresses Willy by his full name, in an attempt to exaggerate to the boys that Willy is a human being and deserves to be treated like one. Although she is fully aware that Willy is unsuccessful and that this has dented his pride and ambitions, she still adores him and the rational, dependable and protective Linda is again recognisable when she starts justifying Willy's actions once more: 'The man is exhausted'. Linda is also very indignant for Willy. The phrase 'Are they any worse than his sons?' exemplifies her bitterness as she reveals the spiteful truth that works, yet again, to make her sons feel ashamed of their previous performance and resent their ill-treatment of their father. Linda herself is obviously angry and resentful to the way her sons have been treating Willy. It is this anger that intensifies Linda's poise and personal influence so that she feels capable of challenging Biff's and Happy's actions against Willy. She is the typical all knowing wife and is brusquely informing Biff and Happy what they have not been told or experienced about Willy. She confronts her sons to change their lifestyles for Willy's benefit, indicating that her desperate worry and care for Willy is increasing her self esteem adequately enough to angrily persuade Biff and Happy into doing changing themselves to help. The rhetorical questions she uses, such as ' The man who never worked a day but for your benefit?' is still enforcing guilt and embarrassment upon her sons because she is defending her husband. Willy loved Biff and Happy and deserves admiration off them in return. It is at this point in the extract that Linda becomes entirely in control and dominates the situation. Her confidence rises and she appears more strong and powerful within herself; a comparison to the normally fragile sounding and reserved expected characteristics.
Nevertheless, Linda finally submits to her own exhaustion, weariness and desire for support, care and love herself. The short, sharp sentence 'He's dying, Biff' captures the audiences attention towards Linda once more, and she appears to have admitted defeat to the situation; admitted that she can no longer struggle to continue in this position without support and aid off Biff and Happy. Linda is now being illustrated as a frail, weak woman who is mentally, physically and emotionally drained. This obtains the audiences sympathy for Linda as she is the complete opposite to the fervent, powerful and authoritarian character she unpredictably became whilst challenging Biff and Happy about their lack of interest in their father's state of mind. Now, her seemingly altruistic act of pleading with her sons seems to be more for her own benefit. Linda, as well as Willy, needs the concern, care and love of her sons, as she too is exhausted from her own inner turmoil, stresses and strains as well as having to cope with Willy's.