DEATH OF A SALESMAN

SYMBOLISM

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.

One aspect of realism is that elements of the play become highly symbolic.

In his play ‘Death of a Salesman’, Miller uses several symbols.

What are they?

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.

The wood/jungle and diamonds

What is symbolic about these?

Jungle = Uncle Ben

Symbolic of success in life- Materialistic wealth (diamonds)

Woods = WillyLife is crashing down

around him

The garden/seeds

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

SeedsSymboliseSense ofFailureWithBiff

Moon and Stars

What do these symbolise?

Symbolic of the “American Dream”It is out of Willy’s reach

Linda’s and the woman’s stockings

What do these symbolise?

Symbolic of Willy’s betrayal and sexual

infidelity

Self indulgenceOr

Household drudgery?

The rubber hose

What does this symbolise?

Symbolises Willy’s desperationAnd

Loss of hope

Essay question:

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