Lake Sumter State College
Leonard M. Miller, Instructor
ENC 1102-Composition/Literature
The Theme and Motifs of Death of a Salesman
While watching the filmed version of Death of a Salesman, jot down instances, lines, character reactions for both thematic segments of Miller’s play.
VARIOUS MOTIFS—“Threads of Thematic Meaning”
1. “All Boxed In”
8. Ben and Dave Singleman
2. “It’s a jungle out there” “The woods are burning”
9. Smells throughout the house: wisteria/shaving lotion
3. “Losing weight” “Getting married”
10. Personal attractiveness/Being “well liked”
4. Stockings
11. Planting seeds
5. “Vital to New England”
6. Flute music—throughout the play
7. Stealing
Major Theme of Death of a Salesman: Illusion vs. Reality