way he came in,” that he has to “add up to something.” His preoccupation with material evidence of success belies his very profession, which necessitates the ability to sell ones
own, intangible image. The seeds symbolize Willys failure in other ways as well. The fact that Willy uses gardening as a metaphor for success and failure indicates that he
subconsciously acknowledges that his chosen profession is a poor choice, given his natural inclinations.
3.4 Symbols of music
From the beginning of the play, music is used to set atmosphere and tone. While it may be thought of as pastoral, one can also see that the haunting flute which both opens
and closes the production might be imagined as sounding forlorn and gently tragic, in the beginning setting the stage for the Loman familys tragedy, and in the end mourning for
Willy Loman. Sound is a central part of the scenes set in the Lomans past; here it suggests happier times by its cheerfulness, and Bens theme music reinforces both his
position as Willys idol and the aura of success that surrounds him.
Sound is also used to enhance the audiences understanding of the characters. For example, in the Dustin Hoffman version, sound is used in the restaurant scene to create an
impression of what Willy is thinking. The audience hears scrambled pieces of sound, often voices calling Willys name. The effect is unsettling and creates pathos.
A similar effect is achieved through tone of voice of the play to creates the atmosphere of the memories with an enthusiastic tone of voice, and later in the play
illustrates Willys position through a desperate tone. While such elements as tone of voice
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and acting techniques are not technically special effects, they are nevertheless used to create an effect on the audience and thus are related.
Sound in Death of a Salesman is used to promote understanding of the characters and events in the play, to set atmosphere and tone of scenes particularly of memories, to
characterize especially in the case of Ben and to create pathos.
3.5 Symbols of cheese
Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman is one of those theatrical plays in which every object seen and referenced can, and often should, be construed as a symbol.
The stage directions and much of the dialogue make this clear, as there is repeated reference to plants, the sky and various other typical topics of symbology that congrue
with the base content of the plot and the plights of the characters. My IB English teacher, before assigning a group presentation on the aforementioned
symbolism, claimed that No word in this play is wasted.
In that spirit, here is a quasi-analytical poem from said presentation. Edutainment Please note that it wont make a lick of sense without seeing, at least, the first half of the
play.
An Ode to the Cheese of a Salesman .
Linda: ”Willy, dear, I got a new kind of American type cheese today. It’s whipped.
Willy: Why do you get American when I like Swiss Linda: I just thought you’d like a change
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Willy : I don’t want a change I want Swiss cheese. Why am I always being contradicted?.
Linda : I thought it would be a surprise” Death of a Salesman .p.1306
Willy is flustered. So to put him at ease, Linda suggest he eat delicious cheese. Now, Willy be happy with cheese, you would guess. But Willy is angry. It’s from the U.S
. When Willy wants cheese that is called “ Swiss” by name. It’s much like his wish that his life stay the same. His affront to the fancy new cheese in the place. Reminds us of hoe
Willy can’t keep up pace with a world that is changing, and sales are not found. And Willy is old, and cannot drive around.
When he balks that the cheese is whipped, and not flat, it’s once again Miller reminding us that Willy is lost in this update state. His old time stance is too little, too
late. So, Willy is asking us: “ why switch the cheese? If it’s not broke, why fix it whenever you please?”
These cheese here’s a symbol of progress, it’s clear. It’s a common such symbol, but not around here. But for people who analyze dreams all their life. The symbolic
change found within cheese is quite rife. Cheese, after all, requires much change to wield, since it’s made up of milk that has erstwhile congealed.
Now that fact brings us to the topic of milk, which fits the motif, as it’s of dairy ilk. The question of why Willy thinks milk is better when urged to consume some
American cheddar. Ties into the baser events of the play, his hopeless success is just too far away.
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Willy’s world has been update, we’ve seen. But Willy still seeks the American dream. The milk, like his dream, has intangible nature. His desire to escape from his low
social stature. Is not solid like cheese, but is still what is sought expressed through the symbol of milk he has bought.
The milk, unlike cheese contains no solid base like how Willy aspires to transcend the rat race. Now life offers will change but still he won’t tread through the strange new
unknown, staying passive instead. So the cheese symbolizes a world full of change which Willy avoids cause he finds it too strange, and if you thought cheese symbols were
beyond belief, their repeated occurrence makes cheese a motif. And when Linda says
Linda :”cheese is on the middle shelf “
Death of a Salesman. p 1308 .
It could be cheese import centralizing itself.
3.6 Symbols of lighting
