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In fact, to understand the conflict between the family, Miller skillfully uses these symbols in his play Death of a Salesman.
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These stockings also represent Linda’s humbleness towards Willy for which she trusted more than anyone in her life. As a result whenever he sees his wife mending her old stockings, he feels guilty of what he has done. Moreover, another symbol that represents Willy’s betrayal and disloyalty towards his wife was the stockings which were actually meant for his wife Linda which he gives to his mistress. For this reason Biff no longer hopes to be successful like his father. The reason for confliction between the father-son relationships is that part of the play when Willy has the flashback of the hotel when Biff finds his dad with other woman.
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Those ambitions he had before Biff and Willy drifted apart. Biffs’ high ambitions are clearly represented by The University of Virginia’s emblem in his shoes. He wants to do anything for Biff to be successful. That sounds good but that’s the main reason for conflicting between Biff and Willy. Biff which is capable of sincere compassion and Happy who receives consolation through women represents two sides of Willy Loman, but Willy favors Biff more than Happy. Biff Loman and Happy Loman, his two sons represent the two sides of his personality. Miller uses symbolism, which reflects his conflicting personality. 2004.)ĭeath of A Salesman is a play which reflects Willy Loman, an aging salesman who was pretty much happy and used to get satisfaction from his two sons at one time.
Symbolism in death of a salesman free#
(“Arthur Miller.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. So, many of his works are from past experiences. He also had worked with many types of working class people who bring him close to his characters in his plays. He then started to focus more on female characters in his writings. His marriage also affected his life as well as his writing. His father was a successful businessman who later lost his wealth. Using symbols, Miller portrays a tragic but realistic view of Fifties.Īrthur Miller is an interesting writer who reflects his life in his plays. His play the Death Of a Salesman, he begins with symbols and ends with symbols, where the primarily focuses on Willy Loman, who desperately tries hard to become successful in his imminent failure. Arthur Miller is a well renowned playwright who can control the emotions of the readers in the way they want to feel.
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