The issue of gender equality is a pressing topic in our modern society. Over the last century, we have established human rights, racial rights, and even animal rights. So why, when a woman demands equality, is she considered a selfish feminist? Our government and society have come a long way since the mid-1900s, when women's rights were not a negotiable issue. Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller is an accurate portrait of a society negatively affected by these unjust times. Even though we have slightly modified our discriminatory practices, we still need to overcome many obstacles related to prejudice. Miller successfully illustrates the bitter objectification of women in the mid-1900s through Death of a Salesman. By explaining the sickening ways in which women were treated in this largely ignorant era, readers learn that disloyalty, neglect, and objectification were the norm during this era. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essayIn the mid-1900s, women were not always treated with the respect they deserved. Willy Loman's wife Linda is a prime example of an abused woman who is not given any respect in her home. Linda is constantly lied to, belittled and pushed aside. She is emotionally abused because of all the stress she endured caring for her needy husband. During an emotional and tense conversation with her son Biff, Linda explains: “No, you can't just come see me, because I love him. He’s the dearest man in the world to me, and I don’t want anyone to make him feel unwanted and down and depressed” (Miller 55). This heartfelt quote proves how blinded Linda was by Willy and his manipulative tendencies. She longs for her son Biff to appreciate his father as much as he cherishes him and this angers her, because she loves Willy more than herself. Her dependence on Willy's approval illustrates the pressures placed on women in the 1900s due to women's lack of rights and, therefore, a lack of self-esteem. In addition to being emotionally manipulated by Willy, Linda is constantly lied to. This creates a weak bond between the two and demonstrates how women like Linda were not treated with respect, as her husband did not appreciate being honest with his wife. Linda firmly believes Willy's lies. During a conversation regarding their finances, Linda says, “But you're doing wonderfully, darling. You make between seventy and a hundred dollars a week” (Miller 37). This statement convinces the reader – aware of Willy's financial situation – that Linda is easy to persuade and ignores the fact that Willy is a compulsive liar. Willy was a self-centered man who lied about his income just to support his high ego. In these desperate times, men often behaved as if they had superiority over their wives, as evidenced in Willy Loman's portrait. Although women today have more rights than ever, they can still often be treated as the "inferior" sex in the world. professional ability. Stephanie Coontz of the New York Times says: “Women are still paid less than men at every education level and in every job category. They are less likely than men to work in jobs that offer flexibility or family benefits. When they become mothers, they face more surveillance and bias at work than theirfathers” (Coontz 8). This is a current analysis of how society is still in touch with the ignorant opinions of past generations. As a society, we have evolved and our morals have purified, but we are still discriminated against because we are women, while women continue to try to escape these sexist traps. Betrayal is yet another common factor that a woman in the mid-1900s could expect. Being cast aside and used for selfish purposes was not uncommon. In Death of a Salesman, many symbols are used to exaggerate the disparity of this era. The most controversial symbol included by Miller are stockings. These skimpy, translucent clothes represent the way Willy treated the multiple women in his life. When the stockings tear, they are thrown away and ignored because they no longer serve any purpose. Ironically, Willy Loman does this with the woman he is having an affair with. While Linda Loman sews her torn stockings, Willy gives them to a woman for whom he has even less respect. This is demonstrated when Willy shouts, "I don't want you mending stockings in this house!" Now throw them away! (Miller 39). Willy clearly doesn't appreciate his wife or the work she's doing to keep their marriage from falling apart. This also symbolizes how Linda is desperately trying to keep their marriage intact while Willy doesn't care about the outcome of their relationship. The woman with whom Willy had an affair in this play plays a very important role in the development of the plot. Their relationship illustrates how Willy is in fact constructed by guilt. We see the collapse of Willy Loman's character after he has an affair with the woman and talks to Linda. Willy exclaims, “I'll make it up to you, Linda, I'll…” (Miller 39), proving that he unconsciously feels guilty about his affair. However, as soon as he snaps out of his reverie, he returns to his selfish self. He uses this woman as arm candy and nothing more. This clearly shows that women in positions like her were not treated with dignity, despite the fact that they were both complicit in the affair. While such a disparity may not exist today, as affairs have become normalized to some extent (to the extent that women are not necessarily blamed more than men for illicit activities), the stigma of blaming the woman is still pervasive today and is inherently unfair and unjust. sexist. The biggest obstacle women face, however, is objectification. To be objectified is to be treated as an object rather than as a sentient being. This can lead to a lack of self-confidence as the woman is objectified. Being labeled and insulted in this form is something no woman should ever tolerate, but it is much less common today because we have raised awareness about this issue and are working to educate girls. When we compare our current views on this issue to those of the women in Death of a Salesman, we see a clear shift in the respect women have gained for themselves over the past few years. Happy, the son of Willy and Linda Loman, is a great example of a man who takes advantage of girls. After years of watching Willy treat his wife disrespectfully, Happy easily follows in his father's clumsy footsteps. Happy's dishonorable actions come into play when he goes out with his brother Biff to a restaurant and begins admiring a richly dressed woman. After approaching the woman, Happy says, "Isn't that too bad now?" A beautiful girl like that? This is why I can't get married. There is no.