stockings+-+Jerry+&+Riowena

Stockings appear several times in the course of Act 2:

Willy to Linda: "Will you stop mending stockings?...It gets me nervous" (p. 75) - Linda mending stockings only serves to remind Willy of the affair he had with The Woman, which ultimately destroyed the relationship he had with Biff as Biff saw it as a form of betrayal. - While The Woman gets brand new silk stockings, Linda has to mend hers. Stockings are intimate clothing, and this emphasizes the passion Willy felt for the woman as opposed to the neutral, sometimes even mean attitude he has to his wife (who actually loves him) - Willy only feels guilt when he sees his wife mending stockings (and they are also too poor now to let her spend money on new ones.)

The Woman to Willy: "Where are my stockings...? You promised me two boxes of size nine sheers..." (p 119) - This occurs in one of Willy's many flashbacks when he remembers how Biff intruded on his affair. - The Woman is thus shown to be only in the relationship for the material goods she can gain, not so much as reciprocating the feelings Willy has for her.

Biff to Willy: " You gave her Mama's stockings!" (p. 121) - This shows that stockings are usually things that Willy should give his wife, not just anyone "Woman" outside his marriage. - Biff sees this action as a kind of betrayal on Linda's part and feels very strongly against it.