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Which characters are symbolic in Death of a Salesman?
Work Cited
| Death of a Salesman | |
|---|---|
| Tense | Present |
| Themes | The Criticism of Capitalism, The American Dream, Reality and Illusion |
| Characters | Ben Loman, Biff Loman, Charley, Happy Loman, Howard Wagner, Linda Loman, Willy Loman |
| Symbols | Seeds, Diamonds, Moon, Stars, The Woods, The Rubber Hose |
What does the machines symbolize in Death of a Salesman?
This paper holds that it is machines that lacerate personal relationships and deprive people of their self-identity, which also contributes to Willy’s collapse in the play. Critics have commented on the machine-related imagery from various angles.
What are the elements of Death of a Salesman?
Terms in this set (13)
- Playwrights. writers who make plays; Arthur Miller is the playwright.
- Plays. dramatic literature written to be performed by actors on a stage before an audience.
- Script. the text of many plays.
- Closet Dramas.
- One-Act Play.
- Acts.
- Scenes.
- Plot.
What does the rubber hose symbolize in Death of a Salesman?
The rubber pipe is a dark and morbid symbol in Arthur Miller’s play Death of a Salesman. At the most fundamental level, then, the rubber pipe symbolizes Willy’s quiet determination to eliminate himself in the midst of what has turned out to be an unfulfilling and superficial life.
What symbol is most significant in the play Death of a Salesman?
The diamonds that made Ben rich are a symbol of concrete wealth in Death of a Salesman. Unlike sales in which Willy has nothing tangible to show for his work, the diamonds represent pure, unadulterated material achievement.
What does the fridge represent in Death of a Salesman?
The Lomans’ refrigerator is an important symbol of the shallowness of materialism. Willy bought the fridge on hire purchase, and though he still hasn’t finished paying for it, it’s stopped working properly.
What does Biff’s sneakers symbolize in Death of a Salesman?
Biff’s shoes represent his hopes and dreams. His UVA shoes show his dream of playing football in college and being successful. After discovering his dad’s affair, Biff burns his dreams along with the shoes. The rubber pipe represents Willy’s depression and hopelessness, as well as his hope for his family.
What does the woman symbolize in Death of a Salesman?
Symbolically, the woman Willy sleeps with in Boston represents Willy’s moral failure. Despite his repeated pronouncements that a person must have character to succeed in life, Willy demonstrates a clear lack of integrity by having an extra-marital affair.
Why Death of a Salesman is a pseudo tragedy?
Death of a Salesman is a tragedy. Willy is immersed in tragedy because he is a character “who is ready to lay down his life” for “personal dignity.” Willy wants to “be someone” and “be something” in a society that does not validate him. Willy is tragic because he carves his dignity from external notions of the good.
What is the dialogue of Death of a Salesman?
Preview — Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller. “Why am I trying to become what I don’t want to be … when all I want is out there, waiting for me the minute I say I know who I am.” “The jungle is dark but full of diamonds, Willy.”
What does the flute symbolize in Death of a Salesman?
The flute represents Willy, the protagonist’s, memories of his father. As the play begins, flute music plays symbolizing Willy’s overwhelming life as well as his abandonment issues. The flute appears again and portrays Willy’s father’s haunting him.
What are the symbols in the death of a salesman?
Death of a Salesman Symbols. The rubber hose is a symbol of Willy ‘s impending suicide. During his affair with The Woman, Willy gives her the intimate gift of stockings. “I don’t have a thing in the ground!”. Willy laments after both his sons abandon him in Act 2. The flute music that drifts through the play represents…
Why was Willy’s father a salesman in death of a salesman?
But the use of symbol of flute becomes more important when we come to know that Willy’s father used to make and sell flutes. In this way he was also a salesman but he used to sell flutes prepared by his own hands, whereas, Willy sells wares of some other person.
Why did Willy Lomans refrigerator stop working properly?
The Lomans’ refrigerator is an important symbol of the shallowness of materialism. Willy bought the fridge on hire purchase, and though he still hasn’t finished paying for it, it’s stopped working properly.
Why are the stockings important in the death of a salesman?
Stockings assume a metaphorical weight as the symbol of betrayal and sexual infidelity. New stockings are important for both Willy’s pride in being financially successful and thus able to provide for his family and for Willy’s ability to ease his guilt about, and suppress the memory of, his betrayal of Linda and Biff.