Death of Salesman Analysis Essay Example for Free

Death of Salesman summary EssayWomen assume various roles in Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman. Mainly we discovery them in the family unit, or the workplace. For us, they serve as windows to observe and formulate an opinion of the main character, Willy Loman and his boys keen and trailer. For reference, the women include, Linda Loman (Willys wife) the boys childhood and current girls/women, The muliebrity (Willys mistress), and Jenny (Charleys secretary). Notably, in that location argon several aspects that unify these women. First, they are subordinate to the men second, they are emotion all(prenominal)y or materially dependent third, the men are mutually dependent on the women for emotional or physical postulate and fourth, they serve as male ego retainers. Moreover, the women are portrayed as weak. Granted, societal views of womens roles piss drastically changed over the past seven decades, the womens characters in Death of Salesman have non.Miller skilfully navi gates us through the past and present in order to capture a complete photo of Willys life. I impart attempt to do the same with Linda Loman. I selected her because of her distinctive propensity to be overly protective of Willy. My intention is not to understate the relevance of the other women. Yet, my focus on Linda is base on my opinion that she is the central female figure and best ambassador to reveal Willys changing nature.Willy Youre my foundation and support, Linda. (1216)We are introduced to Linda in the present. For the season and even for today, she is the ideal Ameri bed wife. Caring, nurturing, supportive, and loyal to her save and children. Yet, today, one may say overly supportive. A captive of the time period, she is limited and therefore, emotionally and financially dependent on her husband. While here, we are able to feel her comforting and sheltering nature. She selflessly protects Willy from his insecure thoughts, his children, and ac hit the hayledging his financial failures. Yet, she corporationnot guard him from his depression and suicidal attempts and ideations.The scene opens with Willy prematurely returning from a gross sales ride. He is explaining to Linda that he could not maintain mental focus and that the rail elevator car kept veering off onto the shoulder of the road. As we will tell apart to have sex, she is well aware that Willys mental status is declining. She deflects the blame by saying, Oh. perchance it was the steering again. I get dressedt think Angelo knows the Studebaker. (1213) Willy accepts responsibility, No, its me (1214) Nonetheless, she continues to divert the cause by saying, perchance its your glasses(1214) Her well-intended effort to be supportive is unfortunately enabling Willys serious aflutter break stamp out to be ignored. In the literary sense, it is an example of situational irony. Her intention to be helpful is not real helping. For us, it is in this split second with Linda, that we im mediately realize that Willy is undergoing serious internal and external stress. It is manifesting into depression, mumbling, mental and physical wandering, and relentless depression. It will proliferate throughout the play, and tragically, be the cause of his final decision.During their conversation we are also introduced to the heavy(a) boys, Biff and expert. Linda informs Willy that the boys are both sleeping, and that, joyous took Biff on a date tonight. (1214) The report mechanically generates spare-time activity in Willy. Which, we stinkpot translate to slopped, Willy is in favor of his boys macrocosm in the comp either of women. As the conversation continues we are made aware of the tension that exists between Willy and his previous(a)est son, Biff. As well, Linda lets us know that Willy has a temper. She tells him, You shouldnt have criticized him, Willy, especially after he secure got off the train. You mustnt lose your temper with him. (1215) For me, his temper i s validated by his response, When the hell did I lose my temper? (1215)Typically, a non-temperamental person would not respond in that manner. As they continue on the topic of Biff, we get the initial glimpse of Willys contradictory nature. At one moment Willy says, Biff is a lazy only ift (1215) While in a follow up comment he says, Biff Loman is lost. In the superlative country in the gentlemans gentleman a young man with suchpersonal attractiveness, gets lost. And such a hard worker. Theres one thing close to Biffhes not lazy. (1215) Well, which is it? Is Biff lazy, or not? Willys contradictory tendency will be further exemplified. I key a touch of comical irony, when prior to going to the kitchen, for a glass of milk, he asks, wherefore am I always being contradicted? (1215)While in the kitchen, we go back in time with Linda and Willy. We see that her support of Willy has endured the test of time, as have his inconsistencies. The younger Linda asks, Did you sell anythin g? (1224) At first Willy says, I did five hundred gross in Providence and seven hundred gross in Boston. (1224) Linda wants to defer his commission so she retrieves a pencil and paper from her apron pocket. She number-crunches and replies, cardinal hundredmy God Two hundred and twelve dollars (1225)Once he realizes that there will be an expectation to produce that money, he back-peddles and says, Well, I didnt figure it yet, but (1225) She is persistent, How much did you do? Then a more real figure emerges, Well, II didabout a hundred and eighty gross in Providence. Well, noit came toroughly two hundred gross on the whole trip. (1225) As easily as Linda can do the math, so can we. Willys original report claims approximately 1,200 gross. When realistically his entire trip probably netted 200 gross. If we are inclined to believe that estimate as honest, he has overinflated his sales by six times the actual amount.After realizing that the actual commission amount is not full to co ver the monthly expenses, a dialogue ensues that reveals another incongruence and his insecurity. Willy states, Oh, Ill knock them dead next week. Ill go to Hartford. Im very well liked in Hartford. You know, the trouble is Linda, people dont seem to take to me. (1225) Again, in the same sentence he contradicts himself. I think we can all relate to feeling less than at some point in our lives. Since, I know I can, his previous and following statement elicits empathy on my part. He claims that people are laughing at him when he goes to his sales calls. He doesnt know the reason, he is just aware. Lindas perpetual support of Willy continues, Oh, dont be foolish and wherefore? Why would they laugh at you? Dont talk that way, Willy. (1225) She continues to console him and coddles his fragile ego by replying, nevertheless youre doing wonderful, dear. Youre making seventy to a hundred dollars a week. (1225) There is something to admire about her positive out brass.Willy continues to sha re his feelings about his little sense of self-worth. This time, it comes from his critique of his physical image, Im fat. Im very foolish to look at, Linda. I didnt tell you, but Christmas time I happened to be calling on F.H. Stewarts, and a salesman I know, as I was going in to see the buyer, I heard him say something aboutwalrus. And II cracked him right across the face. I wont take that. I simply will not take that. But they do laugh at me. I know that (1226) I would like to draw your concern to the opening scene where Linda cautions Willy about his temper. We are now in the past, and we have a tangible example of Willys temper. In this case, it has even erupted into violence. Linda doesnt even flicker an eye when he tells her that he hit someone. Instead, she is the constant pillar that supports his ego, Willy, darling, youre the handsomest man in the world (1226) Really, Linda? I cant pretend my husband telling me he hit someone and not be compelled to probe him further a bout the incident.Through Willys reminiscent daydreams, we hear the laughter of a woman, who will later be revealed as The fair sex, his mistress. (1226) Willy has just added another criteria to analyze him against. He is untrusty to his committed and loving wife. Until now, I could sympathize with Willys insecurities, even earn his need to overinflate his earnings and perhaps even relate to his temper. But, positioned against my own moral standards, I dont care for a womanizer. Nor would I make an exception if the roles were reversed. He pulls away from the memory and declares, Youre the best there is, Linda, youre a pal, you know that? On the roadon the road I want to grab you sometimes and just kiss the life outa you. (1226) Anyone who understands simple psychology realizes that it is guilt that moves him to profess affection for his wife. Yet, a key stipulation he uses provides insight to how he actually views her, youre a pal.These words cannot be misconstrued to mean I lo ve you, you mean the world to me, and I cant wait to rush home to you. As a matter of fact, he retreats into his memories and we spend time with The Woman. In this brief moment we can conclude that his mistress provides an outlet when hes on the road, she fuels his ego, and she suits his purpose by being able to send him directly into the buyers. In return, he fulfills her material need for stockings. (1227)Back from his memory of The Woman, we are still in the past where he is remembering a scene of Linda mending her stockings. He commands her to throw them away. Although we already know Biff and Happy from their own earlier dialogues and Willys memories (which I did not address), it is here that Linda provides insight into younger Biff. She tells Willy that Biff must return a football that he take from the school, and that he is also too rough with the neighborhood girls. (1227) Willy is annoyed with Biff and he explodes at Linda when she urges him to do something about Biffs beh avior. (1228). It is chief(prenominal) to know, all of Willys past memories and mumblings have occurred while he went down to the kitchen for that glass of milk.Finally, we arrive at the kitchen, in the present. This part does not include Linda. Yet, I find it important to include because this exchange contains a missed opportunity. Not that there werent several others. Happy comes down to check on Willy. He finds his father mumbling, and out of concern and sadness, Happy tells him that he will financially provide for the rest of Willys life. In expressing his frustration with Happys claim to lie with him for life, Willy makes an explicit cry for help, Youll retire me for life on seventy goddam dollars a week? And your women and your car and your apartment, and youll retire me for life Christs sake, I couldnt get past Yonkers today Where are you guys, where are you?The woods are burning I cant drive a car (1228) And there it is A desperate, agonizing plea for attention, Where are you guys? The woods are burning. He realizes his condition, he is begging to be acknowledged, begging for attention, and begging for help He feels alone in his suffering. I could imagine his desperation, and we would not be human if we too did not feel his pain. The neighbor, Charley enters, and Happy is sent away. In the interest of focusing on Linda, we will fast forward through this part. Yet, during Charleys visit and through Willys memories, we meet an influential character in Willys life (his successful brother Ben). Charley take offs after a heated round of cards. Yet, we remain in the kitchen while Willy heads outside.Linda comes looking for Willy in the kitchen. Both boys come down to discuss their fathers apparent troubling condition. Instead of addressing it, she scolds them both for being judgmental of their father. Happy transfers his anger onto Biff and blames his fathers condition on Biffs failures. This scene foreshadows the primal trouble between Biff and his fath er. Linda asks Biff, Why are you so hateful to each other? Why is that? (1235) Biff is reluctant to admit that he is resentful towards his father. She cautions that one day the boys will try to come home and there will be strangers in the house. Biff replies, What are you talking about? Youre not even sixty, Mom. She reminds him that his father is not doing well and goes on to say, Biff, dear, if you dont have any feeling for him, then you cant have any feeling for me. (1235)This is an endearing symbol that all families are interconnected, and we each play an integral role. In a passionate plea she proclaims, You cant just come to see me, because I love him. She goes on to acknowledge Willys character flaw, I know hes not easy to get along withnobody knows that better than mebut(1235) Willy enters the kitchen and he is delighted to see Biff. His erratic behavior is puzzling, and Biff asks, What the hell is the matter with him? Linda defends Willy, as if from a physical threat, Dontd ont go near him Out of disgust, Biff snaps, full point making excuses for him He always, always wiped the floor with you. Never had an ounce of respect for you. (1235) This is a loaded, emotional and hurtful comment. But, we will easily unpack why Biff feels that his father has not cherished his mother.Another scene, that does not directly involve Linda, is a mandatory addition. Nearing the end, we come to know that the younger Biff caught his father with The Woman in a hotel, while his father was on a business trip. (1267) The experience grants Biff a moment of clarity, it also permanently shatters his image of his father. Ultimately, she is the measure that Biff judges his father by. In that hotel room, the truthfulness of his fathers pretentious persona crystallizes. He calls him a liar, and a fake. (1268) We will come to understand that this pivotal moment created a fissure that could never be filled. Inevitably, it altered the chain of events in Biff and Willys lives, not to mention Lindas. They remain distant from that moment forward. Poor Linda is never directly told about the affair, which is the sole reason of why Biff resents his father, and the ultimate reason that has caused Willy to be so depressed.The most important detail I have saved for last. As I first claimed, I found Linda to be the most important woman that brings Willy into perspective for us. Early on, Linda confesses to her boys that Willy has deliberately smashed the car on two separate occasions, (1237) and that she has found a hose in the basement that he intended to connect to a gas line. Just prior she delivers a very heartfelt command to her boys. For us, Linda sums Willy up, Willy Loman never made a lot of money. His name was never in the paper. Hes not the finest character that ever lived. But hes a human being, and a terrible thing is happening to him. So attention must be paid. Hes not to be allowed to fall into his grave like an old dog. Attention, attention must be finall y paid to such a person. (1236)There we have it, Willy has try suicide and continues to be tormented with his ideations. Unfortunately, his final suicide attempt is successful. What a strange word, successful can be when used to describe termination by suicide. But, in Willys mind, through death he could attain financial success, make a lasting impression with his sons (mainly Biff) another form of success to Willy, leave 20K for Linda (huge success), and have everyone acknowledge him with a big send off (success in the form of recognition). As we know, in the end, it did not play out that way. The few people in attendance did not view his death as a success. What he left behind was pain.