Female roles in Death of a Salesman
...n to boost their egos right through the play. Happy and Biff both believe that intercourse is directly associated to ones own self-confidence, as well that using woman for sex is completely appropriate way to treat women, “I’ve got to see that old confidence again. Do you want her? She’s on call.” Willy is no more exceptional at the art of courting a woman then his sons are. The most important incentive for the affair is Willy’s personal self-worth; “The Woman” is used to give him the illusion that he is flourishing businessman, and lover. During one of their dialogues Willy push’s “The Woman” to tell him why she picked him. She responds with: “You just kill me, Willy. You kill me. And thanks for the stockings. I love a lot of stockings. Well goodnight.” Truth is “The Woman” is using Willy just as much as he is exploiting her. In today’s society, women use their power of sexuality to receive what they feel they deserve, as well as assisting their husbands/boyfriends improve their self-esteem, in turn she reduces the amount of demanding stress within her life. At the same time, some women feel these types of actions are demeaning and oppressive to all women. Women are expected to be independent in today’s thoughts of society, but as well they are not appreciated completely in work environments and are frequently sexually harassed. Willy demonstrates the lack of respect for women within the work place, by asking Jenny if she is working, or still honest? This indicates that a woman who works deserves the same respect as a prostitute. Even in today’s society woman are degraded by lower pays, as while as inappropriate dialogue from men, such as: Jenny: Fine. How’ve you been feeling? Willy: Not much any more, Jenny. Ha, Ha! The exchange exhibits that sexual innuendo is entirely tolerable within a work surrounding; this general notion is still a struggled for several workingwomen. It is assumed that as women establish additional masculine responsibilities in life, gentleman feel vulnerable and then retaliate by reducing woman to their lowest denominator, by exploiting a woman’s sexuality. There is a time and a place for women to express their sexuality; the work environment is not it. Women are also expected to reside at home bare foot and pregnant, most females have a natural instinct to bare children, and to protect the ones they love. This role conflicts with all the other roles women play out, one cannot be independent when they have others dependant on them, and one can not supervise their children round the clock if they have a demanding work schedule. Linda’s life revolves around her family, without them she would have no place in society, this is shown when Linda gloats : It was nice to see them sha...