"Death of a Salesman"

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how, although Arthur Millers's "Death of a Salesman" is mainly about a salesman named Willy Loman, the almost hidden presence of the women in the play is all too often unnoticed. It looks at how Linda Loman seems to be the glue that holds the Loman clan together, as Willy, Biff, and Happy are all deluded in one way or another. It analyzes how Miller depicts Willy's wife in a very specific way and how he depicts the other women in the story in ways that complement Linda's distinct nature. Although Linda's role as a woman in society is extremely limited, she is a heroic character, being both wife and mother to some very sad and twisted characters.

From the Paper:

"Linda then, is a character that we learn directly very little about. It is only through her interactions with her family that her nature is revealed, and this sense of mystery adds to the dramatic tension. The audience cannot fathom why she stays with Willy and her dysfunctional family. Is she accepting her subordinate position as part of the nuclear family in order to hold it together? Or is she limited by her own personal inadequacies that prevent her from standing independently? Miller's creation of a character shrouded in ambiguity allows extensive scope for dramatic tension. This indistinct character of Linda has an effect on her relationship with Willy."

More papers on "Death of a Salesman":

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• Analytical Essay # 125007 : "Biff and Happy in "Death of a Salesman"
• Analytical Essay # 63384 : "Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman"

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