Deception Functions In Death of a Salesman and a Doll's House

Introduction

Death of a Salesman" and "A Doll's House" are two plays that were in writing in distinct centuries. In these plays, among other things, is presented the place that women contain in the family, as well as in the society. Although in many aspects, the two protagonists of the plays, Linda and Nora respectively, appear to have things in widespread, at the same time they are very distinct, since Nora seems to be more up to date and liberal than Linda, which is ironic granted the fact that Ibsen composed his play seventy years earlier than Miller. The representation of the two women in these two plays is what will be discussed in this paper.(Miller,1177)

In "Death of a Salesman", Linda embodies the function of the traditional American woman, which was to take care of her husband, her young children and the house, regardless of her personal aspirations, and dreams. The woman is anticipated to stay at dwelling and engage in everyday house works, like preparing nourishment, cleaning and sewing, while the man, as the head of the family, is anticipated to find a well-respected job position because it was the man's obligation to supply for the whole family. So Linda has granted up on everything she wanted for in her life, she sacrificed herself, just to be with her husband and her two sons, even though her husband doesn't seem to be treating her very well.(Miller,1177) Willy disregards every phrase Linda attempts to interject in family conversations by cutting off her and accusing her of cutting off him. He shouts at her, he doesn't let her speak and when she does, he speaks to her badly. A distinct example is the passage towards the end of Act I, in which Linda attempts in vain to speak her mind: Linda: "Maybe things are starting to-" Willy: "Stop interrupting!" (1907), and later on when Linda tries again to say something Willie tells her abruptly "Will you let me talk?" (1907), while he is the one managing most of the talking all this time.

Despite her husband's constant degradation, Linda appears to be a woman who is very loyal, adoring, caring and understanding to her husband. Not even one time did she complain about Willy's belittling behavior. Linda seems to be for Willy the flawless wife: she always speaks very in a nice way to him, she makes sure that his clothes are always mended, and that he has got everything he needs with him before he leaves for a trip. She loves him very much and she doesn't seem to contain against him the awful way that he treats her. A distinct example is the fact that right after the occurrence of insulting her, she proposes to sing to him a lullaby, so that he could relax : Linda: "Just rest. Should I sing to you?" Willy: "Yeah. Sing to me" (1909). At the same time, Linda stands up for him, takes his side, ...