Symbolism In Death Of A Salesman By Arthur Miller

Symbolism, as defined by Oxford Dictionary, is the â€Å"use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.† Throughout the play Death of a Salesman, by Arthur Miller, he uses symbols to represent a greater idea and to say more than what is actually being said. Through the use of stockings, a rubber hose,a tape recorder, and seeds, Miller demonstrates the power that these items have over the Loman family. The symbols of materialism do not work satisfy the Loman family but instead create additional problems. One reoccurring symbol throughout the story was the silk stockings. The silk stockings are representative of Willys Shame, guilt, and infidelities. Throughout the story, Willy scolds Linda for mending her stockings. Willy says, â€Å"What’s that?†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦show more content†¦Willy inted on inhaling gas from the water heater as a means of suicide. Linda becomes petrified when she finds the rubber hose behind the water heater. She says to her sons, I was looking for a fuse. The lights blew out, and I went down to the cellar. And behind the fuse box- it happened to fall out- was a length of rubber pipe-just short†(1455). Linda is ashamed that she cannot bring herself to confront Willy about the hose. She says, â€Å"How can I mention it to him? Everyday I go down and take away that little rubber pipe. But, when he comes home, I put it back where it was. How can I insulate him that way?†(1456). The hose represents all of the lies and deception that has been t aking place between the members of Loman family .Linda refuses to accept that Willy would ever kill himself. When Biff tells her that he got rid of the pipe, she is relieved but also saddened by the fact that Willy did not remove it himself. L.M. Domina, author of â€Å"Overview in Death of a Salesman writes, â€Å"This inability to acknowledge the truth affects the family on many levels but most particularly in terms of their intimacy with one another and their intimate relationships with others.† Biff brings the hose out onto the kitchen table in an attempt to bring the truth to the light. In this pivotal moment in the play, Biff addresses the whole family when he says, â€Å"We never told the truth forShow MoreRelatedDeath Of A Salesman By Arthur Miller964 Words   |  4 PagesArthur Miller, the author of the play Death of as salesman and many others, was born in New York in the year 1915. He later attended the University of Michigan which is where he started writing pl ays. He wrote many plays such as The Last Yankee, and Broken Glass. Miller died in the year 2005. The play Death of a salesman was written in 1949, the year of American largest economic expansion. This play is about a salesman named Willy Loman who seems to have a mental illness who has a wife, Linda LomanRead MoreEssay about Using Time Lapses in Death of a Salesman1122 Words   |  5 PagesUsing Time Lapses in Death of a Salesman Arthur Miller wrote â€Å"Death of a Salesman† in 1949. For this essay I am planning to explore the structural devices used in the play. Particularly time lapses. The play is set in Willy’s house and the various places he visits in New York. â€Å"Death of a Salesman† has been described as a modern tragedy and it certainly follows the rules. Willy Loman, the protagonist, is the tragic hero with a fatal flaw; his defect is his supreme pretence and pride. HeRead MoreThe Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald1684 Words   |  7 PagesAn inability to be at peace with oneself is a defining connection between the central characters of The Great Gatsby, a timeless classic written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, set in a hedonistic summer of 1922 America, and Death of a Salesman, written by American playwright Arthur Miller set in 1949 America. The characterisation of both Willy and Gatsby illustrate that they have similarities, in a way that are considered destitute, with imperfect ethical conduct. To a certain extent both protagonists haveRead MoreArthur Millers Death of a Salesman Essay904 Words   |  4 PagesArthur Millers Death of a Salesman Arthur Millers play, Death of a Salesman contains many themes of success and failure. They include the apartment buildings, the rubber hose, Willys brother Ben, the tape recorder, and the seeds for the garden. These symbols represent Willys attempts to be successful and his impending failure. In the start Willy and Linda moved to a home in Brooklyn, as it at the time seemedRead MoreEssay on Comparing The Cats Table and Death of a Salesman860 Words   |  4 Pages Both literary works, The Cats Table and Death of a Salesman demonstrate that everything is not always as it seems. Society tends to take things out of context, thus changing the outlook society has. Not everything is always as it seems. This idea is presented through the use of setting, point of view and symbols. There is always more to things than what meets the eye and everything is not always as it seems. Setting plays a large role in initiating the story and setting the feelingRead MoreDeath Of A Salesman Symbolism Analysis1145 Words   |  5 PagesSymbols in â€Å"Death of a Salesman† by Arthur Miller Symbolism, as defined by Oxford Dictionary, is the â€Å"use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.† Throughout the play Death of a Salesman, by Arthur Miller, he uses symbols to represent a greater idea and to say more than what is actually being said. Through the use of silk stockings, a rubber hose, and the flute music that drifts through the play, Miller demonstrates the power that these items have over the Loman family. One reoccurring symbolRead MoreWomen’s Treatment in Death of a Salesman1463 Words   |  6 PagesWomen’s treatment in Death of a Salesman December 11, 2012 Abstract In our today’s men and women hold equal rights, however, in times prior to the 1950’s the majority of people would agree men held favorable positions and were said to be superior over women. Unfortunately this behavior still exists in countries. Arthur Miller’s, Death of a Salesman probes into these issues and solidifies how the past plagued woman. Miller categorizes women into two buckets; housewives or whores. TheRead MoreThe Theme Of Death In Arthur Millers Death Of A Salesman1064 Words   |  5 PagesDeath is often seen as a scary and dreadful reality that everybody must face. Suicide is perceived as selfish and cold-hearted by many. What about somebody who commits suicide for the greater good? This harsh actuality is depicted in the play â€Å"Death of a Salesman† by Arthur Miller. Miller overcame loss and devastation and created a heartfelt collection of literature that became iconic. â€Å"Death of a Salesman† unveils the unfortunate reali ty that many households experience of chaos disrupting harmonyRead MoreComparing Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller and Fences by August Wilson 1403 Words   |  6 PagesFences written by August Wilson and Death of a Salesman written by Arthur Miller are two plays that could be considered very different in terms of their plot. The plots of both plays contain two very different cultural backgrounds which affects each protagonist differently. If the reader or audience looks past the plot into the theme and symbolisms used they can see that the plays are more similar than they are different. In spite of the different cultural backgrounds of each protagonist they bothRead More Symbolism in Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman Essay967 Words   |  4 PagesSymbolism in Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman In his play, Death of a Salesman, Arthur Miller employs many symbols to illustrate the themes of success 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 cannot escape.  Ã‚  Ã‚   The rubber hose represents both success and failure.   It is attached to the gas main in Willys house and provides him with the opportunity

Unethical Profiteering Private Prisons - 942 Words

Milton Carbajal Professor Flavia Ruzi English 1B 20 January, 2015 Unethical Profiteering: Private Prisons’ Lack of Result Privately owned prisons are prisons operated by private entities for profit. They can be owned by individuals or companies and earn money through unethical practices. These prisons are supposed to cut cost, which they do by providing dangerous living conditions, submitting workers (both convicts and prison employees) to unethical work conditions, understaffing, and underpaying (Blesset 9). By cutting cost owners of theses prisons thrive financially from the imprisonment of criminals which is unethical. By understaffing prisons, owners save a significant amount of money because of fewer salaries, benefits, training fees, equipment, etc. Less workers puts extra stress on the prison guards who are assigned workloads usually handed to multiple guard (Blesset 24). This creates the possibility of more prison crimes involving both staff and prisoners (Benjamin 98). Guards faced with psychological and physical trauma due to stabbings or other violent crimes may behave more aggressively toward prisoners. This could create a cycle of aggression that harms all people involved with prisons. Privately owned prisons are equally (if not more) susceptible to this type of aggressive environment (Horent and Taylor 42). The lack of safety in these prison will make any logical person wonder why there is not more money inputted into safety. The answer is simply to increaseShow MoreRelatedThe Growing Problem of White Collar Crimes in India19963 Words   |  80 PagesThe Problem if white collar crime is very serious in India. Business communities of this country of large and small merchants are basically dishonest in most. Nowhere in the world businessmen get rich so quickly as they do in India. Harding, profiteering and black marketing of essential commodities by traders has become a chronic problem for the Government. The Santhanam committee Report in its findings gave a vivid picture of white collar crimes committed by persons of respectability such as

The mayor of casterbridge Essay Thesis Example For Students

The mayor of casterbridge Essay Thesis Many believe that a humans personality determines their place in life. In the Mayor of Casterbridge, Thomas Hardy explores the role of character in determining fate. He uses a characters personality flaws to determine their fate. Hardy utilizes such traits as temper, naivety, control problems, and shyness. Hardy takes his character and places them in a situation where their personalities usually make the situation worse. Throughout the novel the character, Lucetta, is portrayed as a spoiled child. She likes things to be the best for herself. She comes to Casterbridge in order to finish what she and Henchard proposed to do earlier, that is, marry one another. When she refuses to see him, because she likes Farfrae, she is intentionally provoking him. Henchard confronts her about this matter and he marriage to him. Lucetta refuses to marry until Henchard threatens to black mail her. He intends to black mail her with the love letters she wrote him earlier. She agrees to the marriage. Lucetta, however, marries Farfrae. She does this because he is good looking, better off than Henchard, and totally infatuated with her. This course was the best for her at the moment. She knew of Henchards past, she had experienced his temper, and was afraid he would ruin her. Lucetta also puts a great deal of emphasis on looks. Earlier in the story, she had fallen in love with Henchard. After he left Jersey, Lucetta wrote Henchard love letters. These letters would become her down fall. She died of shock (or possibly miscarriage) after the skimmity ride. The only reason the townsfolk knew about her past with Henchard were these love letters. She had trustingly asked Henchard to deliver them back to her keeping so that she could destroy them. If she had trusted him enough to return the letters, why couldnt she trust him to destroy them? Henchards fate was strongly rooted in his character. He has several character flaws that contributed to the break down of every relationship he had. At the beginning of the novel it is his temper that starts the whole story off. At the fair in Weydon Priors, he becomes angry with his wife while he is drunk. Henchard tries to sell her because he believes that it is Susans and the childs fault that he is not successful. This is evidently not the first time. He finds an interest ed man who pays five pounds and five shillings for her. This of course is the beginning of the break down of his family life and his role as a father. Henchard is upset when he sobers up the next morning. There are other instance where Henchards temper destroys his relationships. The next episode in the story is when Farfraes idea for the fair works better than his own. In a fit of jealous rage, Henchard fires his good friend. This alienates Farfrae from both Henchard and Elizabeth-Jane. It also distances Henchard from Elizabeth-Jane and Farfrae. His temper has now caused a fault in his business and his family. Farfrae sets up a business in competition with him. Henchard also denies Farfrae the right to court his daughter. This of course pushes Elizabeth-Jane farther from her father. In Henchards anger and other habits there is an element of control. That is lack of control. Henchard, it seems, likes his drink. In the beginning of the story he asks for some liquor to be added to his furmity. Once drunk, he losses control and becomes angry. This of course leads to the family break up. In the morning, he swears,While he is sober for those years, he is very prosperous. Henchard becomes a wealthy corn merchant as well as the Mayor of Casterbridge. However, when the twenty-one years are over he starts drinking again. Prior to this because of his temper and the such, he is a ruined man. When he takes up drinking again it just hastens the downward spiral he is on. He is an embarrassment to himself and all that know him. .ua523a333dc0e91beef2591e823488685 , .ua523a333dc0e91beef2591e823488685 .postImageUrl , .ua523a333dc0e91beef2591e823488685 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .ua523a333dc0e91beef2591e823488685 , .ua523a333dc0e91beef2591e823488685:hover , .ua523a333dc0e91beef2591e823488685:visited , .ua523a333dc0e91beef2591e823488685:active { border:0!important; } .ua523a333dc0e91beef2591e823488685 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .ua523a333dc0e91beef2591e823488685 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .ua523a333dc0e91beef2591e823488685:active , .ua523a333dc0e91beef2591e823488685:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .ua523a333dc0e91beef2591e823488685 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .ua523a333dc0e91beef2591e823488685 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .ua523a333dc0e91beef2591e823488685 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .ua523a333dc0e91beef2591e823488685 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .ua523a333dc0e91beef2591e823488685:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .ua523a333dc0e91beef2591e823488685 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .ua523a333dc0e91beef2591e823488685 .ua523a333dc0e91beef2591e823488685-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .ua523a333dc0e91beef2591e823488685:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Critique of Heart of Darkness EssayThis quote is from the visitation of the Royal Personage. Farfrae had set up a reception for the royal guest. Henchards presence at the arrival

Seamus HeaneyS St. Kevin And The Blackbird Essays - Seamus Heaney

Seamus Heaney'S St. Kevin And The Blackbird Poetry is, more or less, up for interpretation. Most poetry is not written like a novel, it does not tell a specific story and give you all of the details you need to decipher it. A poem is there for the reader to interpret on his or her own. After recently reading Seamus Heaney's poem, St. Kevin and the Blackbird, I have taken my own understanding of it, which could be completely different from any one of my classmates' understandings. Coming from a Christian background, rather than a Catholic background, I will have a different interpretation than my Catholic classmates. Catholicism and Christianity are similar, but in Christianity, there are no prominents saints, therefore I have very little background on the actual story of St. Kevin. This is the first, and probably biggest difference in interpretation between readers. In the first four stanzas, the reader is put in St. Kevin's place. All the sensations, the thoughts, that are going through his mind are put into the mind of the reader. The reader can almost feel what it's like to have the blackbird in his or her hand. The reader can sense the link to ?eternal life? - one cycle that has already begun is using him as a link to the next cycle of birds that is just about to begin. When Heaney speaks of pity, the reader knows the feeling and can empathize with the feeling of St. Kevin, stuck with his hand out until the eggs have hatched and the birds have flown away. The next stanza was critical to my own personal reading of this poem. Not having any sort of Catholic background, this paragraph, concerning the reality of the poem, showed me that this is only a story, and that it was not merely a poem of fiction. By asking the reader to imagine because ?the whole thing is imagined anyhow?, it tells me that this is a tale that has been told many times. The author asks the reader to think about being Kevin. Linked to the previous 4 stanzas, the reader has already imagined themself as Kevin, with or without realizing it, and this stanza is no different. Connecting to the next stanza, the reader thinks of the mental and physical feelings that would come with having your arm stuck straight out for such a prolonged period of time. This next stanza speaks first of the physical pain, and ends with ideas of not pain, but caring and compassion. As I was reading through this paragraph, I also thought of how I would feel. Would I concentrate more on the pain? Or would I think nothing more of it than a good deed? I actually put myself more in the position of a statue than the position of a living, feeling human being, and therefore felt more like it would just be thoughts of love for the living world. These questions led me to take my morals into consideration and unconsciously make a decision as to how I view what St. Kevin is doing. The last stanza sums up the latter part of the poem. In reading this last stanza, I realized that a saint such as St. Kevin was, wouldn't think at all of the pain, but make a wholehearted prayer to the Lord, and in that forget himself, and sacrifice his arm for the sake of those tiny eggs, soon to be blackbirds. Poetry Essays