Here are several ways in which Linda subverts expectations and demonstrates multidimensionality:
* Strength and resilience: Despite the challenging circumstances she faces, including her husband Willy's mental decline and the family's financial struggles, Linda displays remarkable strength and resilience. She serves as the emotional anchor of the household, providing support and encouragement to her husband and sons.
* Independence and ambition: Linda is not merely a passive observer in her family's life. She actively participates in decision-making and demonstrates her own independence and ambition. For example, she pushes Willy to pursue his dream of owning a business, even though it ultimately leads to failure.
* Complex emotions and inner struggles: Linda is not portrayed as a one-dimensional, purely maternal figure. She grapples with her own emotions, frustrations, and insecurities. Her inner struggles add depth to her character and make her relatable to audiences.
* Challenging traditional gender roles: Linda's character challenges traditional notions of female subservience and self-sacrifice. While she is supportive of her husband and sons, she does not blindly follow their wishes. She expresses her own opinions and perspectives, asserting her agency and resisting the stereotypical role of a docile and conforming wife.
By presenting Linda as a multifaceted and dynamic character, Miller subverts expectations and offers a more nuanced portrayal of womanhood. Linda embodies both traditional and nontraditional traits, defying easy categorization and challenging conventional gender stereotypes. Ultimately, her multidimensionality contributes to the depth and realism of the play's characters and themes.