Linda Loman In Arthur Miller's Death Of A Salesman

Register to read the introduction… Miller tells us that she is “most often jovial” although this is not borne out on stage; by the time we meet her she is living in fear that her husband will commit suicide. We know very little about Linda. What she says, her actions in the play, all serve to tell us something about Willie. But, what can we infer?
That Linda serves Willy – she bends down and takes off his shoes for him, because his feet hurt, not because he is unable – is symbolic of his place (and hers) within the family. The head of the family is given – is owed – a certain respect: it is his labor feeds them all. It is her job to keep the house, to cook and clean, to keep his clothes in repair, and to make small economies and sacrifices, like darning her stockings, and giving up hair dye. It is also her job to keep the peace, to smooth over the tangles in Willy’s relationships with his sons. She is the glue that holds the family together.
The Loman …show more content…
Linda whips out a pen and paper, calculates how much his commission will be, and he is forced to admit that he sold much, much less (200 gross). Without missing a beat, Linda takes the revised sales information and calculates that he made just over $70. She doesn’t chastise him for his bragging or nag him for making less than they need. She matter-of-factly announces “Well, next week you’ll do better (1276).” When Willy talks about why he has to work so much harder, longer, than the next guy because he talks too much or is too fat, Linda soothes his ego and tells him, “Willy darling, you’re the handsomest man in the world — . . . to me you are. (Slight pause.) The handsomest (1277).” Linda loves Willy; when he gets down on himself, she tries to builds him