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Linda in Death of a Salesman
Linda, the ever-suffering wife in Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman" is a very sympathetic character in the play. She has been married to Willy Loman for years, and has put up with his infidelity, his lack of economic success, and his insecurities for all that time. She actually has been the backbone of the family as she struggled to pay the bills and keep a roof over their heads. She also protects Willy - too much at times. Early in the play, Biff discovers how bad off his father really is after losing his job. "Biff: God Almighty, Mom, how long has he been doing this? Linda: Don't, he'll hear you. Biff: What the hell is the matter with him?" (Miller 1031). She wants to pretend everything is all right, and that is another reason she protects Willy. She does not want to admit he is faltering, even to herself.
However, protecting Willy is not what he needs, and Linda, although she has been married to Willy for many years, does not seem to really know or understand what makes him tick. This is evident at the end of the play when she does not understand why Willy killed himself. She says, "It seems to me that you're just on another trip. I keep expecting you. Willy dear, I can't cry" (Miller 1054). She cannot cry because she has cried it all out before, and she has nothing left to cry over. Living with Willy was obviously difficult, and it seems living without him may actually be easier in some ways.
Many people might see Linda as unsympathetic or manipulating because of the way she treats Willy and does not understand him. However, she seems to be uncomplicated and a bit simple, and tries to do the best with the resources she has. She has raised a dysfunctional family with Willy's help (or lack of it), but she has a good heart and she is a decent, caring woman who has had to deal with a lot in her life. That makes her a sympathetic character, as opposed to Willy, who is a tragic and pathetic figure by the end of the play.
References
Miller, Arthur. "Death of a Salesman." Masters of Modern Drama. Haskell M. Block and Robert G. Shedd, ed. New York: McGraw-Hill. 1962.
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