Death of a Salesman Arthur Miller Motif A

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Death of a Salesman ~ Arthur Miller

Death of a Salesman ~ Arthur Miller

Motif: • A recurring thought or idea that acts as a unifying element. •

Motif: • A recurring thought or idea that acts as a unifying element. • Develops as a commentary on themes or on characterization in the work.

#1) Vital in New England • Willy’s perception: he’s needed as a salesman •

#1) Vital in New England • Willy’s perception: he’s needed as a salesman • The reality: he’s not good enough to get a job at the home office

#2) Debt • Things are used up by the time they’re paid off (the

#2) Debt • Things are used up by the time they’re paid off (the house, the car)

#3) Boxed in • “Nothing will grow here. ” • Life is actually closing

#3) Boxed in • “Nothing will grow here. ” • Life is actually closing in on Willy

#4) Personal attractiveness • If you are well-liked, the whole world opens up to

#4) Personal attractiveness • If you are well-liked, the whole world opens up to you • (this is Willy’s belief about success. Not that hard work gets one ahead, but that you need to be well-liked)

#5) Father/son relationships • Biff’s attempts to get Willy’s approval • Happy is the

#5) Father/son relationships • Biff’s attempts to get Willy’s approval • Happy is the unnoticed son; overshadowed by Biff • Willy doesn’t have healthy relationships with either of his sons

#6) Theft • Willy’s morals are confused; tells Biff it’s okay to steal as

#6) Theft • Willy’s morals are confused; tells Biff it’s okay to steal as long as you’re well-liked (football, carton of basketballs, lumber. . . )

# 7) Happy. . . isn’t • Lives in the past and the future,

# 7) Happy. . . isn’t • Lives in the past and the future, but not in the present • Past: • Future: “I’m going to get married. ”

#8) Silk stockings • Willy gave the stockings he’d bought for Linda to the

#8) Silk stockings • Willy gave the stockings he’d bought for Linda to the “woman” in Boston • Feels guilty every time he sees her mending stockings (which aren’t silk) • Remember, this is before nylons, so stockings were made of cotton, wool. . . or silk

#9) Ben • Represents the success that eludes Willy • Willy’s ideal of what

#9) Ben • Represents the success that eludes Willy • Willy’s ideal of what true success is: get rich quick • “When I was 17 I walked into the jungle and when I was 21 I walked out and I was rich. ”

#10) the flute • Willy’s father made his own flutes then took his entire

#10) the flute • Willy’s father made his own flutes then took his entire family with him to sell them; therefore it was an adventure • Willy sells things made and owned by others and leaves his family behind; therefore it is work