Death of a Salesman: Patriarchal Flaws Contribute to Loman’s Tragic Downfall
This is especially true concerning his wife Linda, because Willy must have the final word in every situation and she feels helpless to correct him. In addition to the characteristic stifling of women living under the rule of a patriarch, the theme of the male being the breadwinner of the family is stressed in this Arthur Miller play.
Linda’s submission to her husband’s authority is an automatic repsonse. She verbally agrees with him even when he is wrong, and supports him when he seems illogical. She considers it normal to be yelled at by her husband, whether the subject is American cheese or the mending of stockings. “He’s the dearest man in the world to me, and I won’t have anyone making him feel low and blue,” she says in defense of Willy. (page 53)
As is typical in a male-dominated household, this wife is expected to respect and honor her husband. Meanwhile, Linda’s own sons do not have enough respect for her to address her by the proper title. “Dye (your hair) again will ya? I don’t want my pal looking old,” says Biff. (page 55) There is a lack of respect for Linda that runs deep in the minds of both her husband and her sons.
Sadly, Willy’s boys spent most of their adult lives chasing after random women for their own satisfaction. It it apparent that they had no example at home of what a healthy love relationship should consist; Willy and Linda are not affectionate and Willy rarely says a kind word to his wife. The poor example set in the household accentuates an unequal relationship, which is exactly what Biff and Happy engage in throughout the play when they use women.
Willy’s decision to have an extra-marital affair further proves his dominant role as the master of his household. He hardly feels guilty about cheating on his wife because their relationship is so strained. Linda’s opinions and feelings must matter little to him or he would have never engaged himself in this affair.
Willy’s desire for his boys to “make it” hurts Biff and Happy rather than inspiring them to succeed. Who wouldn’t want their sons to have an income worthy of supporting a family? In reference to his son Biff who is still living at home, Willy makes the statement, “Not finding yourself at the age of thirty-four is a disgrace!” (page 16) Incompassionate and unobservant of his sons’ real hopes and desires, this well-meaning father is partially at fault for placing high demands on Biff to become rich someday. This is why Biff had to break free from the cycle of giving in to Willy’s pressure. “Why am I trying to become what I dont want to be?”
Biff asked himself. (page 132) This is truly what set him free from the patriarchal demands of his father.
If the standard had not been set to believe that “father knows best” in every situation, perhaps Linda, Biff, or Happy could have advised Willy to control his actions more effectively. Although his family knew about the rubber tubing and feared Willy would take his own life, they hesitated to confront him because it would have taken away his pride. Willy’s pride, among other flaws, causes him to fail in family, social, and business relationships which directly affects the entire Loman family. The end of Willy’s life comes suddenly and tragically, and one cannot help but notice the scars that his domineering lifestyle left behind with his family.
