4.1.2

The Woman

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The Woman: Theatrical Devices

Miller uses many theatrical devices to recreate Willy’s first memory of the Woman with whom he had an affair with in Boston.

Sound

Sound

  • Sound is first used, with the Woman’s off-stage laughter heard by the audience during Linda’s lines.
Music and stage design

Music and stage design

  • Music and stage design are then used to recreate Willy’s memory.
  • A “scrim” (translucent curtain) is used at the left of the house to create the silhouette of the Woman as she intrudes into Willy’s thoughts.
  • The lighting then becomes brighter as the Woman steps around the scrim and reveals herself to the audience.

The Woman: Emotions

Miller is able to explore many emotional states through Willy's affair with the Woman; such as his guilt, his insecurities and his loneliness.

Guilt

Guilt

  • Willy’s memory of the Woman is triggered by guilt.
  • Linda’s attempts to console and comfort her husband (“Willy, darling, you’re the handsomest man in the world”) bring to Willy’s mind the attention paid to him by the Woman.
Loneliness

Loneliness

  • Willy tells Linda of his doubts and insecurities on the road: “‘Cause I get so lonely - especially when business is bad and there’s nobody to talk to”.
Dramatic irony

Dramatic irony

  • Miller here uses dramatic irony as the audience can see what Linda cannot - that Willy’s sense of inadequacy in part led to his affair.
Insecurity

Insecurity

  • The Woman offers comfort and reassurance, singling Willy out amongst all the other salesmen and complimenting him on his “sense of humour”.
  • Willy repeats the question, “You picked me?”, finding validation in the Woman’s ‘choosing’ him.

The Woman: Silk Stockings

Miller uses the motif of the silk stockings to link past and present and further explore the emotions raging within Willy.

Silk stockings

Silk stockings

  • Miller uses the motif of the silk stockings to link past and present, as the light dims on the Woman as she reminds Willy that she loves the gift of stockings and we then see Linda mending a pair of stockings at the kitchen table.
Willy's guilt and anger

Willy's guilt and anger

  • Willy’s angry outburst (“I won’t have you mending stockings in this house!”) again springs from guilt and shame.
  • Not only do the stockings remind him of his infidelity and betrayal of Linda, but the fact that Linda has to mend them also reminds Willy of his failure as the family breadwinner.
Connection to Biff

Connection to Biff

  • Willy’s mind then flits to young Bernard and Linda complaining about Biff’s behaviour.
  • It is significant that, despite her not being on stage, the Woman’s “laugh” is again heard at this moment, haunting Willy.
  • The audience will learn in Act Two how the Woman is connected to Biff in Willy’s mind.
Jump to other topics
1

Introduction

1.1

Introductions

1.1.1Author1.1.2Historical Context1.1.3Setting1.1.4Social Issues
2

Act One

2.1

Key Events

2.1.1Staging2.1.2Key Events 1&22.1.3Key Events 3&42.1.4Key Events 5&62.1.5Key Events 7&82.1.6Key Events 9&102.1.7Key Events 11&12
2.2

Key Themes & Literary Techniques

2.2.1Foreshadowing, Flashbacks, Settings2.2.2Family, Reality, Fantasy
3

Act Two

3.1

Key Events

3.1.1Key Events 1&23.1.2Key Events 3&43.1.3Key Events 5&63.1.4Key Events 7&83.1.5Key Events 9&10
3.2

Key Themes & Links

3.2.1Pride3.2.2Metaphor3.2.3Self-Realisation
4

Extended Passage Analysis

4.1

Act One

4.1.1Staging4.1.2The Woman
4.2

Act Two

4.2.1In Howard’s Office4.2.2The Final Confrontation4.2.3The Requiem
5

Character Profiles

5.1

Willy & Linda Loman

5.1.1Willy Loman5.1.2Linda Loman
5.2

Biff & Happy Loman

5.2.1Biff Loman5.2.2Biff's Relationship with Willy5.2.3Happy Loman
5.3

Other Characters

5.3.1Uncle Ben5.3.2Charley5.3.3Bernard
6

Key Themes

6.1

Concepts

6.1.1The American Dream6.1.2Fathers & Sons6.1.3Nature & the City6.1.4Success6.1.5Men & Women
7

Writing Techniques

7.1

Structure

7.1.1Act One7.1.2Act Two
7.2

Realism

7.2.1Introduction7.2.2Staging7.2.3Language
7.3

Expressionism

7.3.1Introduction7.3.2Staging7.3.3Music
7.4

Symbolism

7.4.1The Garden / Seeds7.4.2Diamonds7.4.3Alaska & Africa
7.5

Motifs

7.5.1Introduction7.5.2Cars7.5.3Silk Stockings7.5.4Money7.5.5Mythological Figures
8

Historical Context

8.1

Historical Context

8.1.1Miller’s Family & The Great Depression8.1.2America’s Recovery
9

Literary Context

9.1

Tragedy

9.1.1Introduction
9.2

Applying Tragic Concepts

9.2.1The Tragic Hero9.2.2The Tragic Flaw9.2.3Recognition9.2.4Emotional Release9.2.5Chaos & Disorder9.2.6Revenge9.2.7Inevitability
10

Critical Debates

10.1

Introduction

10.1.1Introduction
10.2

The Marxist Reading

10.2.1Marxist Analysis10.2.2The Marxist Reading
10.3

The Feminist Reading

10.3.1Feminist Analysis10.3.2The Feminist Reading
10.4

The Eco-Critical Reading

10.4.1Eco-Critical Analysis10.4.2The Eco-Critical Reading10.4.3Post-pastoral
10.5

Other Debates

10.5.1The Play as Tragedy10.5.2The Critics
11

Recap: Main Quotes

11.1

Characters Quotes

11.1.1Willy Loman11.1.2Linda Loman11.1.3Biff Loman11.1.4Happy Loman11.1.5Uncle Ben11.1.6Charley11.1.7Bernard
11.2

Quotes by Act

11.2.1Act One: Key Events 1-3 Quotes11.2.2Act One: Key Events 4-6 Quotes11.2.3Act One: Key Events 7-9 Quotes11.2.4Act One: Key Events 10-12 Quotes11.2.5Act One: Stage Direction Quotes11.2.6Act One: The Woman Quotes11.2.7Act Two: Key Events 1-2 Quotes11.2.8Act Two: Key Events 3-4 Quotes11.2.9Act Two: Key Events 5-6 Quotes11.2.10Act Two: Key Events 7-8 Quotes11.2.11Act Two: Key Events 9-10 Quotes11.2.12Act Two: Howard's Office Quotes11.2.13Act Two: The Requiem Quotes

Practice questions on The Woman

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    What is used to first introduce the Woman in _Death of a Salesman_?Multiple choice
  2. 2
    What is a __“scrim”__?Multiple choice
  3. 3
    Introduction to the Woman in _Death of a Salesman_ Put in order
  4. 4
    Willy's emotions that Miller explores through his affair:Fill in the list
  5. 5
    What does the Woman compliment Willy on?Multiple choice
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Staging

In Howard’s Office