Symbolism in Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman Essay -- Death Salesm

Symbolism in Arthur Millers death of a SalesmanIn his p recline, Death of a Salesman, Arthur Miller employs many symbols to represent the themes of achiever and failure. They include the rubber hose, the tape recorder, and the seeds for the garden. These symbols represent Willys final, desperate attempts to be successful and the failure he flush toiletnot escape. The rubber hose represents both success and failure. It is attached to the gas main in Willys house and provides him with the opportunity to drill suicide. Willy sees this as a way to finally do something for his family to make up for years of disappointment. He will no longer be a burden to them when he is gone, and they will remember him in a verifying light. Yet Willy cannot even commit suicide successfully. His attempt is a failure, so he lies to his family and denies that he was personnel casualty to kill himself. His wife Linda, who finds the hose, knows what he was sack to do with it, as does Biff. When confro nted by Biff, Willy not only denies that he was going to use the hose, but also denies ever seeing it before. Instead of universe remembered as a successful businessman who died, Willy is seen by his family as a failure who cannot even commit suicide or tell the truth. some former(a) important symbol is Howards tape recorder. It represents the many textile objects wealthy businessmen could provide for their families and for themselves. Willy wanted this lifestyle he wanted something he could lay his hands on (Miller pg. ). It would not be enough to just be successful Willy wanted to be able to show people material representations of his success. The tape recorder shows that Howard has reached this level of success. Yet while the recorder symbolizes ... ...o could wear such technical wonders. Even if he could afford them for himself and for his family as other businessmen could, he couldnt figure out how to work them because he did not change with the times. Finally, Willy ant icipated to show his family that he could do something right and give them a little pleasure by planting seeds in the backyard. He hoped that these seeds would prepare into a wonderful garden for all of them to enjoy. Then his family would appreciate him. only when the garden fails, as does Willy. Willy Loman wants to be a successful businessman that his family can be proud of. The hose, tape recorder and seeds represent just a few of his attempts to do this. Yet as with everything in Willys life, what initially stands for hope ends up symbolizing failure. Work Cited Miller, Arthur. Death of a Salesman. New York The Viking constrict 1988