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 What is symbolic about these? 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. Symbolises Willy’s desperation
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’.