DEATH OF A SALESMAN

1. DEATH OF A SALESMAN SYMBOLISM

2. One aspect of realism is that elements of the play become highly symbolic. • Symbols are elements of a story (dialogue, motifs, situations etc) that keep reappearing throughout. • Symbols are objects, characters, figures or colours used to represent abstract ideas or concepts.

3. In his play ‘Death of a Salesman’, Miller uses several symbols. What are they?

4. In ‘Death of a Salesman’ consumer objects keep cropping up in the play, as symbols of what is wrong in the society and in the characters’ lives. • Cars • Refrigerator • Stockings • The Shower • Tape-recorder • Tennis Rackets • Fountain Pen Remember that in the late 1940s when the play was written, far fewer people would have owned cars. A refrigerator would also have been a very big purchase and many families would not have had one. Buying a fridge then might have been like buying a satellite disc now.

5. The wood/jungle and diamonds What is symbolic about these? Woods = Willy Life is crashing down around him Jungle = Uncle Ben Symbolic of success in life - Materialistic wealth (diamonds)

6. The garden/seeds Seeds Symbolise Sense of Failure With Biff What is symbolic about these? Planting a garden = Willy needing to leave something behind for people to remember him by (think of him as a great man). Never planted garden = Never achieved success in life

7. Moon and Stars What do these symbolise? Symbolic of the “American Dream” It is out of Willy’s reach

8. Linda’s and the woman’s stockings What do these symbolise? Symbolic of Willy’s betrayal and sexual infidelity Self indulgence Or Household drudgery?

9. The rubber hose What does this symbolise? Symbolises Willy’s desperation And Loss of hope

10. Essay question: • Discuss the use of symbolism in Miller’s play ‘Death of a Salesman’.