Nothing’s Planted
Seeds are the perfect symbolism of planting a future for an American family
During the whole play Willy insists of buying seeds to plant in the garden. There is a bigger picture to it than just planting food in the garden. The seeds represent Willy trying to plant a future for his family, putting future investments down to be able to leave his children something when he passes unlike his own father. The embarrassment of not being able to leave your kids anything is pushing Willy to the point of suicide. "Nothing’s planted. I don’t have a thing in the ground" refers to his sons and their future. The planting of the seeds shows how Willy is better working with his hands in agriculture and not being a salesman, much like his son Biff.
A small man can be just as exhausted as a great man." ~ Act 1, pg. 56
DEVEN SIDEROFF
