To be able to use symbolism it in my own writing

1. To be able to use symbolism it in myown writing

2. What is the significance of diamonds?

3. Figurative language • Used at times of high stress or emotional intensity. • Elevates the sense of drama and enhances the writing.

4. Examples • “A man is not a bird, to come and go with the springtime” p.43 • “Be loving to him. Because he’s only a little boat looking for a harbour” p.59 • “You can’t eat the orange and throw the peel away- a man is not a piece of fruit” p.64

5. Motifs • Story elements that recur at specific times in the drama, often repeated in different contexts to reinforce or develop an emotional, intellectual or even subconscious idea.

6. The wilderness and the jungle • Represent the ‘dog eat dog’ culture in American society. • Diamonds and ivory are used in relation to those who have the courage to subject themselves to the laws of the wilderness. • “One must go in to fetch a diamond out” p.106

7. Diamonds • The idea of diamonds is the reward for having to expose yourself to terrible dangers. • For Willy, the jungle is suicide and the diamond is the insurance money.

8. What is the significance of seeds?

9. Seeds in DOAS • Willy laments that he can’t “raise a carrot” in his backyard anymore. • Willy tries to plant vegetables after he is left behind by Biff and Happy. Why? • The ‘seeds’ represent a legacy he is trying to leave behind. • Symbolically, he can no longer ‘raise’ his sons and trying to plant the seeds so late is an attempt to grow something and leave a mark on the world.

10. Planting and growing of seeds • Symbolic parallel of raising a family • Has Willy done enough to secure the boys good soil to plant their roots in? • After the boys leave him at Frank’s Chop House he asks “is there a seed store in the neighbourhood?” (feels the need to start again) • “Well, there’s hardware stores on Sixth Avenue, but it may be too late now” p.96

11. Being used up and discarded • The ‘ throw the peel away’ quote is reinforced when Willy starts to see himself this way. He believes he is worth more dead than alive and sees himself in a similar way to how society sees consumable goods.

12. Using symbolism • I was a seed, and dad was determined to see me grow into… • This was the diamond dad had mined from the darkest parts of the jungle. Was I a worthy recipient? • Dad had always wanted to leave his mark, plant his seed, and wanted to see this dream come to bare fruit.

13. Your writing For your hurdle task Include either seeds, diamonds or fruit as a symbol. Write a whole paragraph that incorporates it into your piece

14. Your writing Creative: PROMPT: We need to hold onto illusions in order to cope with reality. Are there enough ‘moments’ in your piece of high intensity/despair? What metaphors can you use to enhance these moments? What motifs could you use to show the growth of an idea throughout your piece?

15. Your writing • Expository/persuasive • PROMPT: We need to hold onto illusions in order to cope with reality. • Incorporate discussion of one of these language techniques into a paragraph.

16. Return to the goal: • Give yourself a score out of 4 on how well you managed to incorporate a discussion of Miller’s use of language OR of how well you were able to apply one of his techniques to your own creative piece.