1. The American Dream: The American Dream is a recurring metaphor in the play. It represents Willy Loman's quest for success and happiness, which he believes can be achieved through material wealth and social status. However, the play suggests that the American Dream is often unattainable and destructive, as it leads Willy to make poor decisions and neglect his family.
2. The Jungle: The jungle is another important metaphor in the play. It represents the competitive and cutthroat business world that Willy navigates. The jungle is a dangerous place where only the fittest survive, and Willy struggles to keep up with the demands of his job.
3. The Cave: The cave is a metaphor for Willy's inner turmoil and mental decline. He frequently retreats to the cave, which symbolizes his escape from reality and his inability to face his problems. The cave also represents Willy's longing for the past and his desire to return to a simpler time.
4. The Seeds: The seeds are a metaphor for Willy's hope and optimism. He believes that by planting seeds, he can cultivate success and prosperity for his family. However, the seeds never seem to grow, symbolizing Willy's failure to achieve his dreams.
5. The Requiem: The requiem is a metaphor for Willy's death and the end of his life. It represents the mourning and sorrow that his family feels after his passing. The requiem also symbolizes the tragedy of Willy's life and the loss of his dreams.
6. The Woman: The woman is a metaphor for Willy's desire and longing for success and happiness. He sees women as symbols of beauty, wealth, and status, and he believes that possessing a woman will bring him everything he desires. However, Willy's relationships with women are often superficial and unsatisfying, as he fails to find true love and fulfillment.
7. The Bridge: The bridge is a metaphor for Willy's final act of desperation and his desire to escape his life. He decides to commit suicide by jumping off a bridge, symbolizing his inability to cope with his failures and the overwhelming pressure of his life.
These metaphors add depth and complexity to the play, allowing Miller to explore themes such as the pursuit of the American Dream, the harsh realities of the business world, mental decline, and the tragic consequences of unrealistic expectations.