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 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 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.
• 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:

  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:

  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:

  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:

  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.
• Silk Stockings:

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

  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 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:

  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.