We learn from the play that Linda is a housewife and mother of two sons. This is obvious based on Willy's age and Biff's age. The play states that Willy, her husband, is 61 years old and Biff, the oldest son, is 34 years old. Also in the play Biff states to his mother that she is not even 60. Linda looks a lot older than she is though because she has been the one to deal with Willy's erratic behavior alone. We see her mending stockings in the play, which represents that she is frugal and probably wears old clothes that have been given to her or bought in a thrift store or consignment shop. This is also verified in the play when Willy sees Linda and he dislikes that she mends stockings not because it is a menial task, but because it shows that he cannot provide her with the financial resources to buy new stockings whenever she needs them. .
The play does not give any insight as to whether or not Linda went to school or has ever worked. Though based on the year in which the play took place, you could assume that she did not go to college nor did she work. She is a dutiful and obedient wife. Linda is the one person who supports Willy. She is protective of her husband and is always trying to stand between him and her sons to ease the tension. This is most evident near the end of Act II when the Loman boys return home from being at a restaurant with their father. Linda asks whether or not they care if their father lives or dies. She says that they wouldn't abandon a random stranger at the restaurant like they did their father. She then throws them out, calling them a pair of animals. Linda says that Willy didn't have to say anything to her, for he was so humiliated he nearly limped when he entered. Biff insists that he talk to Willy, but Linda refuses to let him. She blames herself for Willy's failures. This is noticeable in Act II with a flashback Willy has. You see Ben, Willy's brother, enter and Willy asks him if he secured the Alaska deal.
