Death Of A Salesman Symbol Analysis

In the play Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller the use of different symbols and themes throughout adds depth to the story. The most important theme happens to be trying to achieve the American dream. Miller’s main character strives, but fails to make his version of the American dream a reality and ends up experiencing a tragic demise. Every step he takes to try and make his dream come true only makes his life worse. He does not end up being the only one effected, but his family’s lives as well. Willy cannot provide and as he starts to decline so does his family. They each develop their own problems, feeding off of the negativity of Willy no matter how much they try to distance themselves or try doing the opposite of the decisions he made for himself. Ultimately he is their father and you can only stay away for so long before being sucked back in. The symbols Miller uses signify a particular aspect that constantly show up through the entire play and build upon one another to create depth to the story Miller wants to tell. A major symbol seen from beginning to end of the play happens to be Willy’s own sons. Miller uses them as a way to reflect the different sides of their father’s personality. Biff, the older of the two, who represents the compassionate side of Willy. Signifying a more insecure part of Willy happens to be his …show more content…
The car he owns happens to be a Chevrolet which is an American made car. When Willy has flashbacks the car is brand new and represents the time in his life when he was happy, when things were great with his job and family as well. Traveling excited him, his children respected him, and his wife did not worry. Now focus on the present time in Willy’s life and he even commits suicide in his car. The end of the play describes Willy leaving in his car at full speed and that ends up being as much of explanation of his death the reader gets from the