2. What is the impact of Miller's use of symbols on the audience's understanding of the ways in which the Loman family clings to their version of the dream?
In death of a salesman , through the use of symbols , Arthur Miller exposes to the audience the false dream the Loman family is desperately trying to grasp on and a representation of the end of each version of “dream” for the Loman family which eventually causes their misery. Each member of the Loman family is in denial or perpetuating a cycle of denials living in their own version of the “dream”.
The Loman family believes in what they consider the promise of the Dream depicted in the play. The characteristics of being well-liked and being personally attractive will guarantee success and acquire the material comforts that they deserve. Willy’s fixation with the superficial characteristics and personality causes him to put his hope on Biff. The flute music that is drifting in and out of the play is a symbol of the faint link between Willy , his father and the outside world. The Loman family used to made flutes, and they were able to make a good living by simply traveling around the country and selling them. This helps to build Willy's career as a salesman, but It also underused his talent for building things with his hands, which could have meant a more successful job for him. The flute music is the sound of the road in which Willy didn't take , blinded by his version of the “dream” that he could never achieve. The Seeds …show more content…
It represents wealth and validation of one’s labor , as well as the ability to pass on fortune to offsprings. These are the two things that Willy desperately tries to hold onto. In another way , diamonds , the discovery of which made Ben a fortune also symbolizes Willy’s failure as a salesman. Towards the end of the play, Ben encourages Willy to retrieve this elusive “diamond” in which caused Willy to kill himself for the insurance
In death of a salesman , through the use of symbols , Arthur Miller exposes to the audience the false dream the Loman family is desperately trying to grasp on and a representation of the end of each version of “dream” for the Loman family which eventually causes their misery. Each member of the Loman family is in denial or perpetuating a cycle of denials living in their own version of the “dream”.
The Loman family believes in what they consider the promise of the Dream depicted in the play. The characteristics of being well-liked and being personally attractive will guarantee success and acquire the material comforts that they deserve. Willy’s fixation with the superficial characteristics and personality causes him to put his hope on Biff. The flute music that is drifting in and out of the play is a symbol of the faint link between Willy , his father and the outside world. The Loman family used to made flutes, and they were able to make a good living by simply traveling around the country and selling them. This helps to build Willy's career as a salesman, but It also underused his talent for building things with his hands, which could have meant a more successful job for him. The flute music is the sound of the road in which Willy didn't take , blinded by his version of the “dream” that he could never achieve. The Seeds …show more content…
It represents wealth and validation of one’s labor , as well as the ability to pass on fortune to offsprings. These are the two things that Willy desperately tries to hold onto. In another way , diamonds , the discovery of which made Ben a fortune also symbolizes Willy’s failure as a salesman. Towards the end of the play, Ben encourages Willy to retrieve this elusive “diamond” in which caused Willy to kill himself for the insurance