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Motifs And Symbols In Arthur Miller's Death Of A Salesman

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Motifs and symbols are very common in Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman. One example are the diamonds that Willy’s brother, ben, discovered. Diamonds, in many situation, are a symbol for wealth and extravagance. Another is the reappearing rubber tube/pipe that is mentioned infrequently in Act One. While seemingly unimportant at first glance, it is revealed that the hose is Willy’s tool to try and end his life. Linda, his wife, tells her sons, “He’s dying..behind the fuse box…was a length of rubber pipe…” (Miller, Act 1). It then becomes a symbol for suicide and (in my opinion) imminent disaster. Why Willy might be motivated to commit such an act can be placed on his current mental state, more specifically, deteriorating mental health. He

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