Feminist Analysis Death of a Salesman Essay

Whats great somewhat this play is gives us penetration into the past and focuses on an average family and provides lots of material to do a womens liberationist analysis of. The most prominent woman figure in this play is Linda, but the male characters in this play also give us insight into womens roles and help feed the feminist analyses To get us started, how do the roles and identities of women in this play compare to that of the male figures?Objectivity of womenBiff and HappyQuotes- imply those two we had tonight, now werent they gorgeous creatures? -it gets like bowling, I just keep knockin them over and it doesnt mean anything -a girl, yknow, they always moot what you tell em (27) -Biff was seen as successful in Willys eyes when he made the girls swoon in high school -Could this be influenced by Willy and their upbringing or are they just a product of their sentence? -They see women as achievements When Biff and Happy are talking Happy says how hes not happy currently becau se he wants his own apartment, a car, and plenty of women (23)Women Dont Have Identities-The Woman that Willy has an affair with doesnt catch a name, shes always laughing and reall(a)y sexual. He slaps her butt ad she laughs and thanks him for the stockings. She picked him because he was sweet and such a kidder. She says Ill portion you right through to the buyers? SLEEZE. -They see their mother as the epitome of what a woman should be The only interaction Linda has with other woman is calling them whores, aft(prenominal) Biff and Happy leave Willy at the restaurant and shes angry says did you have to go to women tonight? You and your lousy rotten whoresLindaWhat do you guys think about the character development of Linda throughout the play? Do you think she is an example of a strong or weak woman? She knows that Willy is suicidal, tries to protect him from other people, and does not lose her temper with him when he acts horribly towards her -We never know more about Linda other than that she does the laundry, cares for her boys, and knows the finances -In the beginning I found it annoying how all she did was chair off his shoes, put on his jacket, eager to please him. Only portrayed as a wife and mother, less dimensional than the other characters. -Does this take away from her character development?-Her goals are measured by Willys achievements-Linda is desexualizedTreatment of Linda/Relationship with Willy-Willy is commanding to her swiss cheeseYoure my foundation and my verify Linda-Willy does not let Linda talk dont interrupt (62, 64-65) READ -Biff defends her from Willy but she defends Willy, then Biff says Dont go making excuses for him, he wiped the floor with you. He never had an ounce of respect for you (54-55) -Biff and Happy objectify girls (20 + 21) Also, gorgeous creatures, its like bowling (23-24) -Linda says Im not your maiden over anymore-Described by Happy as having character and resistance which is a quality he wants in a woman, unlike the ones hes been with -Whenever Willy is raise up about something she just sugarcoats his flaws and compliments him (37) do you think we just know something she doesnt, or is there other motivation for her to do this?) -Seems like the first time she ever voiced her real opinion (57) about how Happy and Biff are ungrateful towards Willy -What is the purpose of her character? So that women of the forties could empathize with her view moreHyper-masculinitySeen as negative or positive? Doesnt lead to happiness.Happy and Biff raise cattle, use our muscles, men built like us should be working out in the open (24) Uncle BenSalesmanManual LabourFootballWilly always refers to how their appearances make them well liked guys built like us should be working a farm a man who cant handle tools is not a man. Youre disgusting (44) to Charley thank matinee idol youre built like Adonises God of beauty and desireMORE SUBTLE EXAMPLES I NOTICEDWhen Howards wife goes to talk to the recording dodge she has nothing to offer, as opposed to his son and daughter who wouldnt shut up his daughter whistles, his son names the capitals of states, his wife says I cant think of anythinghello? Oh Howard, I cant talk into this. (78) She could have just been shy, she doesnt have a name, she is known as his wife interrelate Howards wifes role to Lindas role? This is our chance to see a family woman other than Linda, do you think this serves a purpose, not matter how subtle it may be? Linda is content without adventure, she didnt want Ben to encourage Willy to go to Alaska (95) Linda is overshadowed by her boys who go out and pursue things.ConclusionArthur Millar shows us the restraints of sexuality as well individuality in this play. Just like Willy Loman struggles to find his place socially and struggles economically, Linda is restrained by her gender.