7.4.2

Diamonds

Test yourself

Diamonds

Diamonds, the source of Ben’s wealth, represent riches, and therefore, success in Death of a Salesman.

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Willy's diamonds

  • Diamonds, the source of Ben’s wealth, are a symbol that becomes darker and more destructive as the play progresses with Willy eventually finding his diamond in the form of the $20,000 to be paid out of his life insurance policy: “that’s the whole beauty of it! I see it like a diamond, shining in the dark…”
  • But once Willy goes into the “jungle” to find it, there will be no coming back.
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Legacy

  • Part of the power of this symbol for Willy is that he associates diamonds with something concrete - something he can touch and therefore something that is real and lasting: a legacy.
  • Ben is dismissive of Willy’s choice of selling as a career, asking him, “What are you building? Lay your hand on it.”
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Imagery of touch

  • The imagery of touch is developed when Willy tries to convince Ben that “a man can end up with diamonds” in selling through being popular.
  • But Willy admits “you can’t feel it with your hand like timber.”
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Imagery of touch cont.

  • It is only when Willy thinks of the guaranteed pay-out from the insurance policy that Willy is also able to “touch” the diamond: “hard and rough, that I can pick up and touch in my hand.”

Jump to other topics

1Introduction

2Act One

3Act Two

4Extended Passage Analysis

5Character Profiles

6Key Themes

7Writing Techniques

8Historical Context

9Literary Context

10Critical Debates

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