Symbolism in Death of a Salesman, Setting, & Literary Devices

Like any other literary work, Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman contains various stylistic devices to discuss, symbols to interpret, and motifs to find. That is what this article written by Custom-Writing.org experts is about!

This analysis can answer any question you might have about the play, including:

• What do the stockings symbolize in Death of a Salesman?
• What literary devices are characteristic for Miller’s writing style?
• Why are diamonds mentioned so often in the play?

Keep reading to learn more about the play’s symbolism, setting, and motifs.

💎 Symbols in Death of a Salesman

In this section, you’ll find a detailed analysis of Death of a Salesman symbols: diamonds, seeds, and stockings.

Diamonds Symbolism in Death of a Salesman

Willy often daydreams about his brother who discovered a diamond mine. For him, those shiny rocks represent two desires that are central his life. Willy sees diamonds as the symbol of material wealth, which would mean that his labor is valued, and he can pass it on as inheritance. But since it was his brother, Ben, who made a fortune off them, it automatically means that Willy is a loser.

As one of the key symbols in Death of a Salesman, diamonds are also related to the American dream theme. Willy Loman’s belief in the possibility of achieving success with just his charisma is so strong that he refuses to go to Alaska with Ben.

However, the wealth promised by the American dream never comes to him.

In the end, Ben’s ghost encourages Willy to reclaim the diamonds by committing suicide and securing his family with insurance money. All this makes diamonds the symbol of what Willy sees as the meaning of life.

Symbols in Death of a Salesman: Seeds

Seeds carry a special significance in the play as a symbol. They represent every intention and expectation Willy has ever had in his life. Nothing he wanted his sons to become ever came true, his hopes for financial security didn’t realize, and his plan to achieve success at work failed. This is summed up by his words in Act 2:

The importance of this symbol is highlighted by the fact that Willy actually plants seeds in his backyard, hoping to grow a lush garden. In the desperate attempt to grow something out of the seeds he plants in the night, Willy tries to have a new start. He is ashamed and anxious because he can’t provide for the family, so he decides to fix it by starting anew.

Linda tells him that there is not enough light for growing plants due to the high surrounding buildings. The fact that Willy continues to plant the seeds points out how useless all his attempts are. Just like all the hopes he had in his life never realized, the seeds will never root.

What Do the Stockings Symbolize in Death of a Salesman?

The torn stockings symbolize the deterioration of the American Dream as well as sacrifices both Willy and Linda made in hopes of achieving it. Linda wears them to demonstrate her family’s financial success. However, when the stockings get torn, she tries to mend them instead of buying new ones. This infuriates Willy:

Only later, when the reader finds out about Willy’s affair with the Woman, it all starts making sense.

Willy gives a new pair of stockings to his mistress, and Biff finds out about it. The boy assumes that his father gave away Linda’s stockings, which also triggers Willy’s reaction to his wife fixing her old pair. So not only Willy sees the symbol of betrayal and infidelity in it, but also his son.

Moreover, buying the present in the name of his affair boosts Willy’s pride. He shows off as a successful salesman capable of providing for his family and spoiling another woman on the side. This way, the stockings serve as distraction from his guilt.

🎵 Motifs in Death of a Salesman

Some of the motifs in Death of a Salesman appear as geographical locations. The most prominent and recurring are, undoubtedly, Alaska and Africa. They represent the lands of great potential as Willy’s father achieved success in Alaska, and Ben made a fortune of the diamonds found in Africa.

These places symbolize the failure of Willy’s dreams and attempts. He keeps recalling how he refused to leave with his brother. The promises of the exotic lands stand out in contrast to the dull surroundings of the Loman family’s neighborhood in Brooklyn.

There is one more geographical area worth mentioning. Biff is deeply connected with the American West. He understands that there is a lot of potential and freedom on the farms where he works. It is where he can escape from the illusions of the East of the US. Unlike Willy, Biff realizes that the East is nothing but a concrete trap robbing him of his individuality.

🗺️ Death of a Salesman Setting

Most of Death of a Salesman’s setting is limited to the Lomans’ house in Brooklyn, New York. However, it is hard to tell the time and place of the many flashbacks occurring in the play. We only know that the workplace Willy has to travel to every day is in Boston.

The setting of Death of a Salesman is the late 1940s. As mentioned, the time of the events from Willy Loman’s memories is unknown. Except for that, it appears that everything happens in the span of twenty-four hours from Monday to Tuesday. The last part, “Requiem,” describing the funeral, takes place later.

The time period in which the events of the play unravel can help us see the characters in a different light.

The late 1940s was when America came out of WWII. During that time, many believed that they could achieve their dreams if they worked hard enough. The economic boom of the 1950s was also just around the corner. It set the stage for the American commercialism we know today, which sets the scene for the events in the play.

Death of a Salesman Setting Analysis

A look at the stage setting of the house can give readers an even better understanding of the play’s message.

The Loman’s family house is a modest one. It’s located in a suburban area and symbolizes the struggles and aspirations of the working class during the post-WWII era. The suburban setting highlights the differences between the idealized American Dream and the harsh reality that the Loman family faces.

The house itself plays a crucial role in the novel. It reflects Willy’s beliefs and how he sees success as material possessions while giving little importance to genuine fulfillment and happiness. The constant mentions of repairs and maintenance emphasize Loman’s struggle to keep up appearances.

Furthermore, Miller describes the house’s walls as transparent. The characters can walk around or through the walls, depending on whether the scene happens in the present or the past. This might symbolize that secrets and lies can’t stay hidden forever. As the play goes on, the space around the Lomans’ house also gets smaller, representing the suffocating nature of societal expectations and the American Dream’s unattainable ideals.

✍️ Literary Devices in Death of a Salesman

To convey the ideas of disillusionment and the death of the American dream, Miller uses various literary devices. They not only underline the play’s core message but also evoke strong emotions in the readers.

The most prominent literary devices in the play are:

• Flashbacks
• Foreshadowing
• Irony
• Personification
• Metaphor
• Simile
• Hyperbole.

Flashbacks in Death of a Salesman

The most prominent literary device in the play is the flashbacks. They are used extensively to provide background on past events and context for the current situations in the story.

Miller also utilizes flashbacks to delve into Willy Loman’s psyche through illusions or daydreams. They offer an insight into the development of Willy’s despair, with the blurred lines between reality and fantasies illustrating the consequences of chasing an unattainable ideal.

Foreshadowing in Death of a Salesman

Miller includes some foreshadowing moments to hint at future events without revealing the outcome.

One example of foreshadowing in Death of a Salesman is the situation with the stockings that points at the characters’ financial struggles and the fragility of their familial bonds. Another example is flute music, which is related to Willy’s past. Only later do we find out that his father, who left him, was selling flutes.

Irony in Death of a Salesman

The most prominent instance of irony in Death of a Salesman is revealed at the funeral. Willy commits suicide because his life seems to be a financial failure and he was deeply in debt. However, we later find out that the Lomans have just gotten free of all the debts. Moreover, Loman is focused on money and is jealous of his friend Charley’s wealth, while Charley only values kindness and doesn’t care about money.

Personification in Death of a Salesman

Miller uses personification in his play to depict the setting and showcase the character’s emotions. For instance, while Willy talks to Bernard, he says, “Bernard, that question has been trailing me like a ghost for the last fifteen years.” By referring to the question as “trailing [him] like a ghost,” he emphasizes that it constantly bothered him, and he couldn’t find peace.

Literary Devices in Death of a Salesman: Simile

Smilies are used in the play to describe characters and emphasize their traits. For example, in Act 1, Linda says, while he talks about Willy: “He’s not to be allowed to fall into his grave like an old dog.” She compares her husband to an old dog because she believes their sons ignore him and don’t see him as deserving respect.

Metaphors in Death of a Salesman

Miller uses metaphors in his play to convey complex emotions to the readers. Some metaphors also have a symbolic meaning. For instance, when Willy asks Howard for a job, Howard says that he “can’t take blood from a stone,” meaning he can’t create a job just because Willy asked him to.

Literary Elements in Death of a Salesman: Hyperboles

Hyperboles highlight the character’s emotions, such as desperation. They also add humor to the play. For instance, when the Woman describes how Biff’s knocking on the door, she says: “He’ll wake the whole hotel.” This hyperbole emphasizes the loudness of the sound and implies Biff’s urgency.

🎭 Is Death of a Salesman a Tragedy?

The play is widely considered to be a tragedy because it has many elements characteristic of the genre. Willy Loman is a tragic hero whose main flaw in the belief that personal charisma is all one needs to be successful. The play shows the tragic consequences of following the American dream’s idealistic aims.

We hope that the above information was helpful to you. If you’re looking for exciting essay ideas on the play, check out our list of topics.

🔗 References

1. Death of a Salesman Research Papers – Academia.edu
2. Death of a Salesman | play by Miller | Britannica
3. “Death of a Salesman” and Arthur Miller’s Search for Style
4. ‘Death of a Salesman’ Themes and Symbols – ThoughtCo
5. Silk Stockings in Death of a Salesman – American Literature
6. Death of a Salesman: The Swollen Legacy of Arthur Miller