Comparing Linda And Willy Loman In Arthur Miller's Death Of A Salesman

Linda’s Relationship with Willy is unequal

What is love? Love is chemistry. It’s a powerful neurological condition like hunger and thirst, no one has control over it. And everyone has definitely experienced it once in their lives, even it’s the love from; families, friends or significance others. Every kind of relationship will always have at least one relationship that is unforgettable, yet regrettable at the same time. The one where you fall in love with the wrong person, but it’s too late to back away because your heart is already with them. Which is clearly relate to the relationship of Linda and Willy, the characters from the most famous play “Death of a Salesman” written by Arthur Miller. Linda and Willy’s relationship consider as an unhealthy and unequal relationship where there’s no caring, respect or loyalty for each other. Which are the most important qualities that need in love and perfect, healthy relationship.

Caring is displaying kindness and concern for one another.

Mostly shows in the role of families and lovers. Especially, as parents, people brain most likely have popped up of an image parents care children. It is certainly true. However, there’s also caring between parents, as a lover. In the play, Linda is clearly playing as the caring and concern role of a wife. She cares a lot about Willy and very concerns about his action lately since he’s also already 60-year-old. Yet, Willy cannot see the goodness in her and how much she cares about him by still saying something that can hurt her feeling, such as:

“Linda: Why? What happened? Slight pause. Did something happen,

Willy?
Willy: No, nothing happened.
Linda: You didn’t smash the car, did you?
Willy, with casual irritation: I said nothing happened. Didn’t you hear me?” (Page. 12-13).
Linda is very concerns of Willy, but he answers her like he is very annoyed by the questions she is shooting at him all at once. So he tries to cut off the conversation harshly by saying “Didn’t you hear me?” Which totally hurts Linda feelings, yet she never complains and still keeps taking care of Willy no matter what.
Love and respect are like birthday cake and candles. People cannot have a complete birthday when one of it is missing. Respect is a pattern of behavior that can surely be found in a healthy relationship. When people respect trust and support each other and also value each other’s independence. They have the freedom to express their own opinion, be themselves and make decisions. On the other hand, Linda gets none from Willy. He treats her condescendingly, rejecting her comments with total contempt:
“Linda: I’m just wondering if Oliver will remember him. You think he might?
Willy, coming out of the bathroom in his pajamas: Remember him? What’s the matter with you, you crazy? ....” (Page. 67).
Willy clearly takes the support for granted and completely devalues her opinions. This does not count when he always cuts her off when she was trying to lighten up the conversation, for example, when Biff and Happy enter the bedroom to say goodnight to Willy like Linda told them to: