Comparison - Linda Loman from Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman" and Elizabeth Proctor from Arthur Miller's "The Crucible"

Both Elizabeth Proctor and Linda Loman share a devotion to their husbands that leaves them unfulfilled. Each of them surrenders their own happiness for the well-being of their husbands. Likewise, the two women blame themselves for all the hurtful things their husbands do to them. Elizabeth and Linda have become so accustomed to the mental abuse freely dished out by their husbands that they have come to consider it acceptable behavior and rationalize it by …

…second of any day for themselves. Their entire focus is on the happiness and success of their husbands. Proctor and Willy are both unworthy of all the support their wives show them; nevertheless, the women remain loyal and are quick to forget all the disappointing things done by Proctor and Willy. While selflessness and forgiveness are good things, these women become too extreme by destroying their own lives, merely to keep their undeserving husbands happy.