Discuss the motif of women's stockings in Death of a Salesman? What are Willy and Biff's attitudes toward them? How do Linda and the woman with whom Willy is having an affair regard them?
Arthur Miller in the Death of a Salesman use motifs to create an impression upon the reader or spectator. It aids in the understanding of each individual character as well as how it shapes the relationship between characters.
In act I, Linda is seen mending her stockings. Upon seeing this Willy becomes angry as it serves as a constant reminder of his infidelity. Miller uses the flashback technique to create an ironic situation between Linda and the woman- she remains unnamed to show she is of little importance to Willy. It is through this bit-by- bit setting of the play where emotions, conflict and tension develop.
In addition, the mending of the stocking serves as a reminder of the state of poverty that the Loman family is in. This again is ironic that, Willy a salesman; who sells stocking is unable to purchase stockings for his wife. In the same light, the mending of the stockings shows the disparity within the family; Willy and Biffs constant bickering and argument, the inequality between Linda and Willy and apart from financial problems the social rut that the family is in. Overall the holes in the stockings represent the need for love, support and harmony within the family.
Furthermore, the image of Linda mending the stockings reinforces her constant need to try and ease the tension in the house. She acts as a sponge that sucks out the tension in the house to create harmony. Likewise, it also symbolizes the accommodative nature of her towards Willy; whereas she tries not to pressure him or belittle him for his short- comings- failure to earn money to support the family, she provides excuses of why Biff has no steady job and why Happy is a philandering bum. The stockings also represent her trying to hold the family together and ensure that the family life operates smoothly.
The woman sees the stockings as a sign of Willys desire for her. However, Biffs knowledge about what transpired between Willy and the woman tarnishes the strong father-son bond between Biff and Willy. The stockings for Biff are a mode of remembering Willys infidelity. He is unable to forgive his father and there the issue of appearance versus reality is given further notice. Biff no longer idolizes his father because the stockings had served as a bond of integrity and happiness and the holes represent a violation of these qualities, consequently, his behavior is as such.
At this point Willy is unable to effectively separate the past from the present. The stockings symbolize the instability of his career and constant failure; it also represents lost dreams and hopes. Apart from this, the stockings serve as a trigger to recall the infidelity. Willy is guilt ridden and orders that she throws away the stockings. However, this is on the premise that , throwing away the stockings illustrates his need to forget as well as his desire to right his wrong and improve the life of his family. He aspires to be free from financial and other problems and to live a life where Biff idolizes him, one where there is success and harmony.
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