Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Drama - Death Of A Salesman > Themes, Symbols And Motifs > Flashcards

Themes, Symbols And Motifs Flashcards

1
Q

what is the significance of money in DOAS

A
  • 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
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

what is the significance of the apartment buildings in DOAS

A
  • 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
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

what is the significance of rubber tubing in DOAS

A
  • 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

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

what is the significance of the flute played in DOAS

A
  • 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”
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

what is the significance of the broke bottle in DOAS

A
  • 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
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

what is the significance of the jungle in DOAS

A
  • 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
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

what is the significance of the fountain pen biff stole in DOAS

A
  • 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
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

what is the significance of the diamond given to willy in DOAS

A
  • 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
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

what is the significance of the american dream in DOAS

A
  • 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
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

what is the significance of the stocking in DOAS

A
  • 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
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

what is the significance of loneliness in DOAS

A
  • 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
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

what is the significance of cheese in DOAS

A
  • 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
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

what is the significance of the car in DOAS

A
  • 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
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

what is the significance of the mattress in DOAS

A
  • 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
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

what is the significance of the tape recorder in DOAS

A
  • 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
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

what is the significance of the insurance money, $20,000 in DOAS

A
  • 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
17
Q

what is the significance of false pride in DOAS

A
  • 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
18
Q

what is the significance of the sky in DOAS

A
  • 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
19
Q

what is the significance of manhood in DOAS

A

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”
20
Q

what is the significance of the concept of a dime a dozen in DOAS

A
  • 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
21
Q

what is the significance of the orange in DOAS

A
  • willy says that “ a man is not a piece of fruit”

- he sees himself as being used up by his company and being disregarded

22
Q

what is the significance of valises in DOAS

A
  • 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
23
Q

what is the significance of the football in DOAS

A
  • they are a symbol of biffs athletic prowess

- and his glory in high school days

24
Q

what is the significance of horses in DOAS

A
  • 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

Drama - Death Of A Salesman (1 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions