Nature vs the City: Death of a Salesman

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  • Nature and the City in Death of a Salesman
    • Nature as Roots- the idea that plants are children
      • The Loman's garden contains no plants/vegetation.
        • Flashbacks show us how Willy was wrong in the way he brought up the boys- now they don't have any roots/support. Much like the soil/plants in the garden
    • Nature as an escape
      • Willy (and Biff) are presented as having a deep love of nature
        • They both dream of nature: Willy at the beginning of the play nearly swerves off the road distracted by the 'scenery'
          • Biff too: 'all you desire is to be outside'
      • This runs in the family!
    • Nature as a representation of Willy's dreams. The city as a representation of society.
      • Stage directions: 'surrounding area shows an angry glow of organge'
    • Willy associates nature with his dreams
      • Eg. Ben and his father both made their fortune in the open space
        • He dreams of having 'a little place out in the country'
          • YET he is still trapped in the cycle of leaving New York to sell and then coming back to the confinements of the city!
    • Seeds
      • At the beginning of Act 2, Willy tries to plant seeds. But Linda reminds him there isn't enough sun!
        • The seeds represent Willy's need to create something of permanence.
        • Perhaps the seeds represent children. Willy wants a chance to get it right. However, Linda tells him that the backyard will not be a hospitable site for a garden, which references how their family, under Willy's fathering, was not a hospitable place for happiness.
  • Nature has been opressed by the city. It is no longer able to grow!
    • Nature as a representation of Willy's dreams. The city as a representation of society.
      • Stage directions: 'surrounding area shows an angry glow of organge'
    • Seeds PT 2 :'I don't have anything on the ground'
      • His son's have grown to disappoint him
        • His job has borne no tangible proof of success
      • But it is not a hospitable place for plants to grow. Also, the fact he tries to grow seeds at night shows the futility of his efforts.
      • By growing seeds, Willy is attempting to begin anew
        • His job has borne no tangible proof of success
  • Nature represents a happier place for Willy.
    • He associates his dad with nature- the flute 'plays of grass and trees and the horizon'
    • Nature and the City in Death of a Salesman
      • Nature as Roots- the idea that plants are children
        • The Loman's garden contains no plants/vegetation.
          • Flashbacks show us how Willy was wrong in the way he brought up the boys- now they don't have any roots/support. Much like the soil/plants in the garden
      • Nature as an escape
        • Willy (and Biff) are presented as having a deep love of nature
          • They both dream of nature: Willy at the beginning of the play nearly swerves off the road distracted by the 'scenery'
            • Biff too: 'all you desire is to be outside'
        • This runs in the family!
      • Willy associates nature with his dreams
        • Eg. Ben and his father both made their fortune in the open space
          • He dreams of having 'a little place out in the country'
            • YET he is still trapped in the cycle of leaving New York to sell and then coming back to the confinements of the city!
      • Seeds
        • At the beginning of Act 2, Willy tries to plant seeds. But Linda reminds him there isn't enough sun!
          • The seeds represent Willy's need to create something of permanence.
          • Perhaps the seeds represent children. Willy wants a chance to get it right. However, Linda tells him that the backyard will not be a hospitable site for a garden, which references how their family, under Willy's fathering, was not a hospitable place for happiness.

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