Sociology Response

If the state is a Democracy, how can this be in their best interest? People will obviously resent their meddling and rebellion is sure to break out among the people. In a Communist Dictatorship, this would be ideal, but a Democractic scoiety thrives on freedom and diversity. The job of a Democratic government is to protect the people's ideas and beliefs, not to infringe upon them and attempt to control the parenting styles and home life of the individual. Also, the government is made up of humans-- humans are sinful and greedy, therefore if a few people have the ability to control how EVERYONE raises their children, pride and disillusionment is sure to cloud the eyes of the those determining "how children should be raised," which will undoubtedly end in chaos. And how can the state compromise between two antithesis ideas, such as, spanking or not spanking? This places too much pressure on a select group of people who most likely have different beliefs themselves. In addition, how could the state control what was happening within each home under their leadership? This is physically impossible. It would not be a good use of money and time. How people raise their children does not provide jobs, does not fix the economy, and does not provide the immediate benefits people are demanding. Overall, I think that is it NOT in the state's best interest to meddle or to any individual's advantage either. If the state attempted to do this, there is no doubt a revolution would occur like when Britain was micromanaging her colonies. Our country is founded on freedom and freedom is what people will demand.

My Lens

           My room very much symbolizes me and who I am as a person. It’s my personal space where I am free to express what I like without any consideration to what other thinks. As I sat on my bed pondering what makes up my “critical lens,” I simply looked around the walls of my room and found the answers I was seeking.

Alice in Wonderland Poster: An antique hanging in my room is my “Alice in Wonderland” Poster. As a child, I had an obsession with Alice and this movie—I was even Alice for Halloween multiple years! To me, this poster symbolizes my curiosity and “why” complex which I often bring into analysis. It comes in two different forms: 1. The Innocent Child Questions and 2. The Rebellious Teenager Defiance. I’ve always been a naturally curious child. In literature, I always question “why” they wrote this or “why” their tone of voice is such a way. As I’ve grown older, I’ve also gained a more “defiant” tone, as my mother so sweetly puts it. I am often eager to analyze in a way different from normal interpretations of pieces, thinking “why” does it have to mean what they say?

Bible Verses: On my wall, I have different Bible verses written out. I know this may sound cliché, but starting the day off reading the word of God truly makes a HUGE difference. It is a constant reminder that this life is not just about ME. Looking at the verses around my walls, it’s extremely evident that Christianity and my relationship with Christ hugely influence how I see the world and analyze literature. I’m constantly seeing parallels to scripture and creating Christian morals to secular stories because Christianity plays such a significant role within my life.

Rosie the Riveter Poster: As a child, before I even knew what this poster meant—I insisted on getting it for my room. And it’s been there ever since. Though I did not know the historical context to Rosie and her “We Can Do It” encouragement, to me, she was a symbol of a REAL, AMERICAN woman. This symbolizes my “American Woman” lens I often see things through. To be completely honest, I LOVE my country and I tend to have a biased towards her. Though I recognize America has many faults, I still feel the need to defend my homeland against what I consider treacherous slander.

Piggy Bank and Antique Doll: Both very dear pieces mean so much to me. Both were presents from my parents and display how much I value both their opinions. The piggy bank and doll symbolize my family’s influence on my life, and essentially my “Conservative” lens. Being raised on a Conservative home, I have natural tendency’s on I view things both morally and economically. This plays a big role on how I analyze pieces of literature that deal with society, too. Also, both objects are aimed toward “young” children. This also symbolizes my innocent and young outlook. Though I have experienced hurt and heart break, I have also been very sheltered and have yet to experience life on my own! Because of my young age, my analysis is often limited to how I feel and have experienced or what my parents have taught me.

Pictures of people: Any empty space on my walls is literally covered with pictures. People have played a huge role in my life, and in general, I love people! This symbolizes what I consider my “Biographical” way of looking at literature. I’m very interested in knowing what the author was going through or why they wrote it. There must be a reason! Something must have happened, and they must have one meaning! I truly believe each author wrote their piece with one intention in mind. People have made different interpretations, but by looking at the author’s life, the true meaning most likely can be found. I like knowing THE truth. 

Feminism Critic of Death of a Salesman

          Death of a Salesman's character Linda is an instrument in analyzing the play through a Feminist lens. Linda, the only woman mentioned by name within the play, is overlooked and forsaken. The entire play is centered on Willy and what Willy desires. Linda is merely a tool he uses in order to enhance his own personal happiness. This is seen through Willy’s affair and symbolic use of stockings. Willy selfishly cheats on his loyal wife and buys “the woman” new stockings. Later, Linda is seen mending old stockings because she is too kind to burden Willy with needing new ones and because she assumes it is her duty to keep things together—including her stockings. Willy obviously neglects his wife’s need for new stockings revealing woman’s “second rate” place within society. Willy also takes advantage of Linda’s “infinite patience” (17), and makes decisions solely based on himself because he is aware of this attribute within Linda. Further, the fact Linda is completely oblivious to Willy’s affair displays her as “stupid”—or at least not as intelligent as Willy who is able to hide it from her.

                In addition, Linda is an extreme pacifist and is portrayed as frail and unable to defend herself. Even though her children were young and merely goofing around, when they start to tackle one another, she frantically exclaims “Why are you fighting?” (49). Through the character of Linda, Miller is constantly trying to put woman within a box. Very literally, Linda is never seen leaving the house! She is subject to a cycle of taking care of Willy, Laundry, protecting peace within the house, cooking, cleaning, “mend[ing] the lining of Willy’s jacket” (53), and rarely sleeping. Despite the fact Linda holds the family together, she often even overlooked by the reader because she seems to lack any substance. She appears to merely be a “nice” housewife and mother without any backbone—a role woman have been forced into for centuries and only recently have been able to break free of.

Also, Linda very literally makes no distinction between herself and Willy. When Biff is angry at Willy, Linda states “Biff, dear, if you don’t have any feeling for him, then you can’t have any feeling for me” (55). Even when Linda is “angry,” her speech lacks passion as she refers to Biff as “dear.” Miller suggests those women are not only to be submissive to men, but truly have no identity apart from them! Not only that, but they apparently “hold men back.” When Willy longs to go out to Alaska for a life of adventure, Linda begs him to “stay with her and the children.” Though Willy does stay, he outright tells Linda multiple times he regrets he didn’t her. Even when he does not literally say anything, his actions often show he resents her for it. Essentially women are in a “lose lose” situation in life. A woman only has purpose in a man, yet she will “hold the man back” so he inevitably will resent her—so either way, woman is destined for a life trying to “work” for her husband’s “love.” Men not only rule the world, but within this play, are the only people who even matter.