Linda Flashcards
‘She has developed an…
iron repression of her exceptions to Willy’s behaviour’ 1,8
AO2: She has metaphorically toughened up to it
AO3: In the 1940s, women were viewed as the weaker sex both physically and emotionally. here Miller is challenging these stereotypes.
“He’s not allowed to fall into…
his grave like an old dog”
Act 1, pg.44
AO2: Simile, emphasises the lack of respect the boys have for Willy but also how insignificant the system/American dream has made him feel. Foreshadows his death. Animal imagery reflects how the system has treated Willy.
AO4: ‘Fall’ foreshadows Lear’s downfall.
“A small man can be…
just as exhausted as a great man.”
Act 1, pg.44
AO2: Metaphor for a bigger picture
AO3: Arthur Miller said that ‘the common man is as apt a subject for tragedy as kings are’. Willy is a representation of all the ‘common men’ living in America in the 1940’s, who were trapped in the ideal of the American dream, and desperately working towards a goal that’s unachievable. Therefore Willy is much more relatable to many more people than a megalopsychic king, which increases the catharsis/pathos.
“But he’s a human being and…
a terrible thing is happening to him. Attention must be paid. Attention, attention must be finally paid to such a person.”
AO2: Repitition of ‘attention’ emphasises Linda’s desperation. Miller calling to the audience.
AO3: Forward-thinking attitude to mental health issues
“(Linda Is Filling His Cup When She Can.)”
AO2: Metaphorically filling Willy’s cup (keeping him going)
AO3: Linda is the typical housewife.
“Well, Dear, Life Is A Casting Off.”
AO2: Miller is referencing knitting/embroidery. Metaphorically in Linda’s mind, each trouble, joy, frustration, obstacle in life is like a row in knitting. Eventually the row ends and you cast it off and begin focusing on the next. Linda fixes the holes in her stockings, solving the problem- casting off. She finds the hose under the water heater and takes it- casting off. He yells at her, she supports him when her sons come to her rescue- casting off. She suspects he is having an affair, but he always comes home to her- casting off. She steadfastly made the payments to the house despite their financial hardships- casting off. Her husband loses his job- casting off
AO3: Contextually, this was a very common hobby amongst women in the late 1940s.
“Don’t you care whether he lives or dies?”
Act 2- addresses the audience (sort of) and rhetorical question
voice of Miller - the American dream is killing common people, like Willy, and people don’t care enough.
(taking the jacket from him) Act 1 p.g. 10
Symbolic for Willy’s armour/front, which Linda is constantly metaphorically removing.
AO3: Challenging gender stereotypes that men have to be tough and cannot be exposed and vulnerable.
Guerin Bliquez
Linda’s facility for prodding Willy to his doom is what gives the play its direction
To overlook the part she plays in her husband’s pathetic downfall is to miss one of the most profound levels in Arthur Miller’s subtle structuring of his tragedy
