FREE ESSAY ON DEATH OF A SALESMAN

DEATH OF A SALESMAN

Is Linda a supportive or destructive force in her husband's life?
"Death Of A Salesman" by Arthur Miller shows the gradual collapse of Wily Loman. 
Linda Loman is a destructive force in Willy Loman's life through her excessive
support. His wife, Linda attempts to help him by continuos support and
encouragement. Although she knows he is distressed, she persuades him to
believe he is successful and well-liked. She conceals the truth in order to protect
her husband.
Linda is described as the personification of family. She holds the family
together by encouraging her husband and protecting him from heartbreak. She
supports Willy's confidence and defends him against criticism. Her excessive
support is a pathetic effort to protect his identity. Linda will never admit to herself,
nor anyone else that Willy is a failure. She allows him to believe he is more
successful than he really is. Linda can be described as "ordinary, loving, and a blind
leader of the blind." Linda is aware that Willy is borrowing money in order to
provide Linda with a weekly paycheck. She is also aware that Willy has attempted
to kill himself several times, yet she remains silent and avoids confrontation. 
Linda's silent nature has proven to be unsuccessful in her attempts to help Willy, or
to hold the family together. Her personality lacks the strength to speak up and
force Willy to face reality. Critics have described Linda as "profoundly
unsatisfactory" as a character, not the lest bit sexually interesting, and incapable of
playing a significant role in her husband's dreams." Linda's personality disguise is
demonstrated throughout the film by the use of dialogues and actions. Generally
a sane character, she is capable of dramatic outbursts. Often appearing in the
background, behind the rest of the characters, Linda is shown as an insignificant
role in her family, unable to provide with them the help that they need. Willy
refers to her as "my foundation and my support." She serves as the typical
supportive wife , saying things like: "don't you feel well...you look terrible...I got a
new type of American cheese today-it's whipped" and, "take aspirin, it will make
you feel better." She is reserved, staying in her place, and never questioning out
loud Willy's objectives. Linda lacks the strength to stand up to her husband, she
can't even look him in the face. Aware of his attempted suicides, she would not
confront Willy about it, but took it upon herself to remove the rubber pipe that he
placed on the gas pipe, only to replace it before he returned home. She is
sympathetic, but refers to Willy as a "small man," although she states "but he is a
human being and a terrible thing is happening to him, so attention must be paid!" 
After his death Linda states "Willy dear, I can't cry, why did you do it?" Linda has
never been able to understand Willy, he will forever remain a mystery to her. 
Through Linda's extreme support, her husband's downfall resulted. Linda
was aware of this, yet she did not say nor do anything to help him. She plays a
significant role in the downfall of her husband. Her attempts to help him are not
only a destructive force, and eventually lead to his death. These examples prove
that Linda's excessive support is a destructive force in Willy Loman's life.