Death of a Salesman
Arthur Miller could not have know as he penned "Death of a Salesman", thathe was creating what would become a literature classic. On the surface, thestory appears to be about a salesman and his family. When a closer look isgarnered, the story also touches on the Great American Dream and what adisappointment it can be. While these are easily identified aspects of thestory, there is another message that will last as long as time. The storyprovides a permanent record of the role of women during that era.Linda Loman is the character Miller chose to use as the protagonist's wife.Linda, for all intents and purposes, is a classic illustration of the waywomen were expected to behave in the 1940's. When one reads the storytoday, one will see the many differences in the
This is anotherillustration of the role women played during the 1940's. This is illustrated early one when she tells Willy that their 34-year-oldson just needs to find himself. As was the case in thatera, Linda's main role in the story was to support her husband, have dinneron the table and be there when he arrived to unwind from his day. In the very first scene Linda offers to get up out of bed, late at nightand make her husband a sandwich when he gets home. WillyLoman had spent his life as the head of his household. When Willy is fired from his job, Linda again illustrates the supportiverole that women held in that time, when she does not demand an explanation. She tendedthe home fires, provided unwavering support of her husband and sons and inthe end showed the strength that would later allow women to carry the womanmovement forward, when she survives the death of her husband and says,"finally free". He told Linda howhis career was going and she quietly believed him. Linda Loman provides a perfect exampleof the submissive attitudes that women were expected to take. way women were viewed then,compared to the way they are viewed today. The protagonist helps toillustrate the role of women in the era by his treatment of Linda. While she allowsWilly to be the family head of household she continues to defend the sonswhen he gets angry at them. Willy goes to the neighbor to borrow money and again, Linda is notinvolved, and instead is charged with making Willy still feel important andnot question his decisions. CONCLUSIONThe story Death of a Salesman is a classic example of the role womenplayed in society during the 1940's.
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