Feminist Lense- Death of a Salesman

           In the play, Death of a Salesman, the character Linda depicts the author's view of women within this time. Linda was purposeful in becoming the best "housewife" she could be. She took responsibility and care for her family and was concerned both with how their family managed themselves as well as how they appeared to their neighbors and other peers. At this point in history the typical woman was viewed as submissive, and only necessary in the jobs around the house. Linda is usually seen only around the house. Her main locations are the living room, bedroom, and kitchen. Often times her stage directions will be "carrying a washbin" or always retrieving what other character's need. Within the first couple scenes the stage directions even indicate that Linda was "taking off [Willy's] shoes" for him. As the view of a successful household was changing, the woman's role became that of submission to the men around her. Linda was always working  hard to keep the men around her happy and living in comfort. This trait was often seen with the women of this time.

             Furthermore, Linda's relationship with Willy is the most obvious evidence of the view of women within this time. Willy represents the typical man who takes advantage of the women in his life and rely on them for comfort and support while giving them nothing in return. For example, Linda constantly will refer to her husband as "dear" or "darling" while he shows her no mutual treatment of affection. She will constantly make excuses for his rude temperment and shows infinite patience. This presents the woman figure as someone who is weak and will not stand up for herself if it means going against a male figure in her life. All of Linda's actions are in order to make Willy feel comfortable, constantly complementing him saying "Willy, darling, you're the handsomest man in the world" (43). It is evident that the affection from a woman was much for present then that from the man. She is also seen as constantly worrying for her husband and family. She will make sure Willy has everything he needs before he leaves the house and will remind him of small things saying "Be careful on the subway stairs" (75) as if he was a child. The woman figure is presented as the one that must tend to everyone else's needs and make sure that everyone else is well prepared.
                The women are also seen as the one's that hold the men back from persuing a life beyond the home. Since the women are seen as such subservient wives who are completely tied to the home, when Willy hopes to leave the comforts of home she attempts to convince him that everything around home is much better. She not only will respond this way to only Willy, but for the sake of Willy she will react quite differently to her sons. She shouts "Don't you care whether [Willy] lives or dies?" (117). Even in the midst of trying to convince herself that Willy's affair was not true, she will do anything to protect Willy. She demands the respect towards Willy from her children, whether he deserves it or not. The male figure is seen as one that will take advantage of women and disrespect them, even to the length of having an affair. Linda is made to be a wife who at all cost, nomatter what the situation, she will always stay loyal to her husband. Therfore, overall the men are seen to have ultimate control over the women in their lives while the women are intentionally submissive.