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While in today's society, women play a significant role, such equality has not always existed. In 1948, when Death of a Salesman, by Arthur Miller was written, the role of women in society was quite different. The main female character, Linda Loman, is a typical 1940's housewife. She loves her husband Willy Loman unconditionally even though he does not treat her with the respect she well deserves. Women in modern times would not be as passive as Linda Loman because that kind of treatment towards women is now considered old-fashioned and it is frowned upon. If a feminist were to critique Death of a Salesman, they would be infuriated by the way Willy treats his wife and would be equally upset by Linda's passive attitude towards her husband's mistreatment of her.
Although Willy may think of his wife as a useless woman who is incapable of understanding his struggles, a feminist would see Linda, though she may be quiet, as the emotional core of her family. She stands by her husband through all of his failed attempts to achieve the American Dream and through all of that. Willy constantly hushes her whenever she tries to contribute her two cents into a conversation. "BIFF: I'll see Oliver tomorrow. Hap if we could work that out . . . LINDA: Maybe things are beginning to- WILLY, to Linda: Stop interrupting! To Biff: But don't wear sport jacket and slacks when you see Oliver" (Miller 64). Willy will not even hear what Linda has to say and continues his conversation as if she was not even in the room. She seems to be the only emotionally stable character. Linda, being such a caring and loving person, deserves better respect from her husband than she ever receives.
Although Willy may think of his wife as a useless woman who is incapable of understanding his struggles, a feminist would see Linda, though she may be quiet, as the emotional core of her family. She stands by her husband through all of his failed attempts to achieve the American Dream and through all of that. Willy constantly hushes her whenever she tries to contribute her two cents into a conversation. "BIFF: I'll see Oliver tomorrow. Hap if we could work that out . . . LINDA: Maybe things are beginning to- WILLY, to Linda: Stop interrupting! To Biff: But don't wear sport jacket and slacks when you see Oliver" (Miller 64). Willy will not even hear what Linda has to say and continues his conversation as if she was not even in the room. She seems to be the only emotionally stable character. Linda, being such a caring and loving person, deserves better respect from her husband than she ever receives.