Women and emotions

     In Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, we are exposed to a character named Linda who sticks by a weak, optimistic Willy Loman. Linda is portrayed as a sensitive, caring wife who looks out for Willy and supports him no matter what. Even after she found the rubber hose, everyday she took it away while Willy was gone and put it right back where she found it at night. Linda shows her endless kindness and care towards Willy, but when she's with her sons, she discusses how she is worried for him and how she pities him. This opens up a discussion of whether her "love" for Willy is just comfort and the fear of leaving him alone.

    Okay, I admit that was a bit much. I mean who am I to question if she loves Willy or not? I'll tell you who I am. I'm a student who finds something very odd about their particular relationship. And I think that this type of fake love is stemmed from a woman's desire to always please others and build people up. By this, I simply mean that it's because of how women are STATISTICALLY more empathetic than men. That is something seen by society as a flaw. Thus, most women in power are seen as uptight and strong-headed. 

    Anyway, moving back to Linda, she speaks in a way that is so gentle because she doesn't want to upset her husband. We see this is modern society where women are constantly apologizing for things that aren't their fault. Because of EMPATHY. It's truly so annoying. For instance, we'll explain something in complete detail in a text that lasts 30 lines, and men will still have the AUDACITY to respond with "wdym?" (What do you mean). And WE would be the ones getting upset over it, rather than the idiotic man who didn't bother to fully comprehend the message.

    Okay for the last time, I promise, moving back to Linda. In one of Willy's recollections he remembers that Linda discouraged him to going on that trip to Alaska with Ben. I had a theory that this is the guilt eating away at Linda. I feel that Linda has thoughts of "why did I stop him?" 
"It's my fault that he's trying to kill himself," "I have to make sure he knows that I'm happy." She saw that Ben went to Alaska and prospered, but holding Willy back from that opportunity must be the fuel that keeps her at his side. She feels guilty and thus pities Willy to the point where she is willing to condone his impossible fantasies because she knows how fragile he is. Linda lives in fear that Willy is going to go off the edge and that it may be her fault.