Willy and Linda's relationship Flashcards
(10 cards)
-traditional perception of post-war marriage that the wife has allowed her ambitions, her ideals and dreams to disappear under the notions of her husband, vision of loyal femininity
-both Willy and Linda lack the ability to follow things through to any kind of hugely positive climax, they are equally damned - so there is a sense of equality, they aren’t dragging down each other
[she admires him, as though his mercurial nature, his temper, his massive dreams and little cruelties]
implied attitude that she isn’t going to criticise him
[Most often jovial, she has developed an iron repression of her exceptions to Willy’s behaviour]
-shows her early acceptance of reality, and the natural course of life, something that Willy refuses to accept, and arguably is his HAMARTIA, he feels that he hasn’t accomplished anything yet, and will tirelessly pursue this even if it leads him to death - Willy responds________
LINDA: ‘life is a casting off, it’s always that way’
WILLY: ‘no, no, some people - some people accomplish something.’
-Linda is a MOUTHPIECE for Miller, conveying the argument that his flaws are not responsible for his downfall and yet more likely attributable to HUMAN CONDITION → TRAGIC PROTAGONIST
-CAPITALISM distracts from understanding others and recognising our humanity
‘He’s not the finest character that ever lived. But he’s a human being’
loyalty in the relationship, assuring and comforting. the family unit is presented and unified and harmonious which is a stark contrast to the current state of the relationship
‘you’re the handsomest man in the world’
‘you’re doing wonderful dear. you’re making 70 dollars a week’
-Linda serves as a VOICE OF REASON exposing the harsh reality of their condition and the futility of Willy’s dreams
‘Willy, come in! There’s no use trying to get anything into the ground.’
-suggests Willy is lost in the CAPITALIST WORLD and needs to find somewhere to settle instead of pursuing his futile corporate dream
-ADJECTIVE of ‘little’ is indicative of his fragility and vulnerability as a TRAGIC VICTIM
-acts as a MONOLOGUE as Linda is on the phone and we cannot hear Biff’s response - reinforces the theme of ISOLATION, emphasises the DISCONNECT between Willy and his sons
‘He’s only a little boat looking for a harbour’
-no people attending Willy’s funeral illustrates the ISOLATING effects of CAPITALISM and how there is a lack of human connection
-complete opposition of Dave Singleman’s funeral → TRAGIC misguided delusion of Willy to go into sales, he hasn’t become well liked, well respected or a legend, instead chasing the dream has inevitably resulted in his demise
‘Why didn’t anyone come?’
-Willy has been dead to Linda for a while, sense of INEVITABILITY in his fate
‘I can’t cry’
-TRAGIC IRONY of Linda having achieved the AMERICAN DREAM to an extent on behalf of Willy being left with the money but nobody is there to enjoy it and there is no perfect family unit
‘We’re free’
‘I made the last payment on the house today. Today, dear. And there’ll be nobody home.’
