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what is the little rubber pipe in death of a salesman

by Derrick McDermott Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago

What is the little rubber pipe in Death of a Salesman? The rubber pipe is a dark and morbid symbol in Arthur Miller's play Death of a Salesman. Literally, the rubber pipe is the implement the main character Willy Loman

Willy Loman

William "Willy" Loman is a fictional character and the protagonist of Arthur Miller's classic play Death of a Salesman, which debuted on Broadway with Lee J. Cobb playing Loman at the Morosco Theatre on February 10, 1949. Loman is a 63-year-old travelling salesman from Brooklyn with 34 ye…

keeps hidden in his basement for his suicide attempts.

Rubber Hose Symbol Analysis
The rubber hose is a symbol of Willy's impending suicide. Linda finds it hidden behind the fuse box in the cellar, and the "new little nipple" she finds on the gas pipe of the water heater leads her to the conclusion that Willy had planned to inhale gas.

Full Answer

What does the rubber pipe symbolize in death of a salesman?

In Arthur Miller's 'Death of a Salesman,' the rubber pipe symbolically reminds the audience of Willy Loman's desire to end his own life. Look how this symbol is represented and why its omen keeps us so firmly grounded throughout the story. Updated: 01/05/2022 The rubber pipe is a dark and morbid symbol in Arthur Miller's play Death of a Salesman.

What is the significance of the rubber pipe in the play?

The rubber pipe makes its first appearance in the play when Linda Loman (Willy's wife) speaks of finding it in the basement to her son, Biff Loman. Frightened that Willy will discover that she knows about his suicide attempts, Linda paradoxically hides the pipe when Willy is away on business and then puts it back in the basement when Willy returns.

What does the rubber pipe symbolize to Willy?

Ironically, Willy can barely afford to pay the gas bill. In this way, the rubber pipe becomes the symbol of Willy's general inadequacy as a professional. At the end, the rubber pipe is not Willy's means of suicide.

What does the rubber pipe symbolize at the end of Requiem?

At the end, the rubber pipe is not Willy's means of suicide. His suicide (which precedes the play's final Requiem section) is a car crash, an act that resonates with Willy's career as a salesman who traveled his region by car.

Why does Linda put the rubber hose back?

In a way, Linda's actions transform the rubber pipe into a symbol of her own suspension of disbelief when it comes to her husband; in other words, Linda's replacement of the rubber pipe indicates her morbid participation in Willy's delusional vision that his suicide (and the subsequent insurance payout) will restore ...Jan 5, 2022

What is the significance of the rubber tubing?

Rubber tubing, also known as rubber hose or rubber piping, is made of natural and synthetic rubber and is used to circulate and transport liquids and gases for household and industrial uses.

What does Biff do with the rubber tubing?

Biff removes the rubber hose from behind the fuse box before he retires to bed.

What does Biff reveal to happy about the rubber hose?

Biff confronts Willy with the rubber hose. Biff states that he has stolen himself out of every job since high school and that during the three-month period when he was completely out of touch with his family he was, in fact, in prison for stealing a suit.

What is a rubber pipe?

“Rubber tubing” is a term that refers to hollow synthetic and natural rubber channels, or flow lines, that transfer or dispense liquids and gases. With their varying chemical compositions, rubber tubings' characteristics are quite diverse, which is advantageous for professionals who wish to engage tubing.

How is rubber tubing formed?

2:394:50Rubber Hose, how it's made. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThey create corrugations by wrapping it tightly in rope. What's under the Rope compacts. Creating aMoreThey create corrugations by wrapping it tightly in rope. What's under the Rope compacts. Creating a dip they add another layer of nylon tape to hold the rope in place.

What does the tape recorder symbolize in Death of a Salesman?

The tape recorder signifies the change in Willy's life through the advancement of technology. It also represents the end of Willy's career.

What does Charley mean when he says no man only needs a little salary?

Like Charley says, “No man only needs a little salary”—no man can sustain himself on money and materiality without an emotional or spiritual life to provide meaning.

What do the diamonds represent in Death of a Salesman?

Diamonds. To Willy, diamonds represent tangible wealth and, hence, both validation of one's labor (and life) and the ability to pass material goods on to one's offspring, two things that Willy desperately craves.

What does Linda tell the boys about the rubber hose?

Act 1. Finally, Linda tells the boys that she found a rubber hose behind the fuse box in the basement, and a new nipple on the gas pipe... (full context) ...tired to talk. Biff, meanwhile, searches in the basement and is horrified to find the rubber hose behind the heater. He takes it and goes upstairs to bed. (full context) Act 2.

What is the rubber hose in the cellar?

Rubber Hose. The rubber hose is a symbol of Willy 's impending suicide. Linda finds it hidden behind the fuse box in the cellar, and the "new little nipple" she finds on the gas pipe of the water heater leads her to the conclusion that Willy had planned to inhale gas.

What does the rubber hose symbolize in the book?

In this case the rubber hose symbolizes death because of what Willy was truly using it for, which was to kill himself. Just as the rubber pipe was detached from its place, so was Willy, Willy is becoming “detached” from life, wandering in and out of his flashbacks, eventually killing himself in the end. Diamonds: Another symbol in the novel was the ...

What does the diamond symbolize in the end of the play?

So in the end the diamonds symbolize wealthiness. Seeds/Gardening: WILLY: There’s no question, no question at all.

What is the symbolism of diamonds in the novel?

Diamonds: Another symbol in the novel was the diamonds. To Willy they represented wealth and hence. Which were both validation of one’s labor or life and the ability to pass on material goods on to ones offspring, which were two things Willy desperately craves. Correlatively, diamonds, the discovery of which made Ben a fortune, ...

About This Quiz & Worksheet

Answer these quiz questions to test how much you remember about the symbolism of the rubber pipe in Death of a Salesman. You will be asked about its relation to other symbols and how Willy uses it.

Additional Learning

If you wish to learn more about the symbolism of this item, review the lesson titled Rubber Pipe in Death of a Salesman. Topics explained will include:

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