Themes, Symbols And Motifs Flashcards
what is the significance of money in DOAS
- the family is strapped for money
- willy is constantly stressed about having enough money to pay the bills
- biff complains that his various jobs dont give him enough money to support himself or the family
- money is also a key stone to achieving the american dream
what is the significance of the apartment buildings in DOAS
- willy feels claustrophobic due to the overcrowding in his neighbourhood
- the once suburban street has changed due to the baby boom in america and reinstitution from the war
- willy now feels like he cant breathe and that the sun doesnt shine down on him anymore, which is also a metaphor for his life
what is the significance of rubber tubing in DOAS
- the rubber tubing found in the car is a symbol of death
- willy planned to inhale the gas from the water heater as a means for suicude
what is the significance of the flute played in DOAS
- it represents his father who went to alaska to participate in the gold rush when he was a toddler
- but he never returned for him
- willy has grown up without a male role model in his life because of this
- he even says “i feel kinda temporary about myself”
what is the significance of the broke bottle in DOAS
- the broken bottle represents biff
- charley tries to tell willy that he wont get anything back for all his efforts with biff
- but willy cant accept that
- like a broken bottle, it is simpler to throw it away and get a new one than to fix it
what is the significance of the jungle in DOAS
- the jungle symbolises life and freedom
- a place where only the fittest and strongest will survive
- ben went into the jungle and came out rich, as he was worthy due to surviving it
what is the significance of the fountain pen biff stole in DOAS
- it represents biffs frustration with life and willy
- willy used to reinforce biffs negative behaviour and excused him for stealing
- so when biff was frustrated as an adult, he would usually steal things like the pen or a suit in which he gets jailed for
what is the significance of the diamond given to willy in DOAS
- diamonds represent bens career and success
- willy had a diamond given to him by ben but he pawned it in hopes for helping biff
- nothing ever came of his sacrifice so it foreshadows the end of the play
- it can alternatively be a symbol of willys fruitlessness in life
what is the significance of the american dream in DOAS
- although miller was exploring tragedy through this drama
- many people associate it with the american dream of success and prosperity
- each of the three men in the home express their dreams but not all follow their dreams
- they pursue what they think their dream should be, nit what they really love
what is the significance of the stocking in DOAS
- they are a symbol of betrayal
- willy gives his mistress stockings while linda tries to save money by lending hers
- the audience feels pathos here in the from of anger or disappointment at willys betrayal
what is the significance of loneliness in DOAS
- even though willy complains about overcrowding, he complains about to the woman that he feels lonely
- happy also complains about being lonely despite having women
- linda must also be lonely because the house is usually empty when willy is out selling
what is the significance of cheese in DOAS
- the cheese represents change
- willy ways he doesnt want change but in life it is inevitable
- one must either adapt or change or become extinct
what is the significance of the car in DOAS
- cars have been an american symbol of freedom
- willy associates his old car with batter days
- while his current car is associated with hard times
- he says it shouldnt be manufactured because it is always in the shop
- he uses it to take his own life
what is the significance of the mattress in DOAS
- it is a symbol of willys infidelity and happys promiscuity
- willy uses sex to get ahead in business
- happy uses sex to humiliate his bosses
what is the significance of the tape recorder in DOAS
- it is a new technology in 1949 and is was out of willys price range
- but his false pride will not allow him to admit that he cant afford one
what is the significance of the insurance money, $20,000 in DOAS
- the insurance money is an illusion
- willy thinks he will be able to give it to biff to do something great
- but the insurance company knows that his accidents arent accidents at all
- they wont have to pay off on the policy
what is the significance of false pride in DOAS
- false pride is a theme
- howard tells willy that this is no time for “false pride”
- in a tragedy, pride is called hubris
- it is an offence to the gods and leads to the downfall of the tragic hero
what is the significance of the sky in DOAS
- biff says he ran down a flight of stairs and saw the sky
- the sky is the truth and this is biffs epiphany
- he finally sees the way things really are and is able to accept the truth
what is the significance of manhood in DOAS
they arn be a theme
- willy accuses charley of not being a man
- but willy admits he is unsure about his manhood when he says “i feel temporary about myself”
what is the significance of the concept of a dime a dozen in DOAS
- biff is able to accept that he is not extraordinary
- willy cant accept this truth
- he wants biff to be great and not common
- biff says “ i am a dime a dozen” just a common man
what is the significance of the orange in DOAS
- willy says that “ a man is not a piece of fruit”
- he sees himself as being used up by his company and being disregarded
what is the significance of valises in DOAS
- they represent willys job but also the burden of his job
- they are heavy and seem to weigh him down
- in one his flashbacks he remembers the boys carrying his valises fro him when he arrives in the store during summer break
what is the significance of the football in DOAS
- they are a symbol of biffs athletic prowess
- and his glory in high school days
what is the significance of horses in DOAS
- they represent biffs ideal life
- he wants to be outdoors in a ranch or own a ranch someday
- this is his american dream
- it is in conflict with what willy thinks a man should want
