Alaska & Africa

• Alaska and Africa

  Alaska and Africa symbolise the wilderness, places full of risk (“it’s dark there…”) but also opportunity (“…full of diamonds”).
• Masculinity

  • Alaska and Africa are places where Willy’s father and Ben test their masculinity and their ability to survive and thrive.
  • When offered a position in Alaska by Ben, Willy is clearly tempted but Linda is able to convince Willy to stay by appealing to Willy’s illusions of how to succeed, reminding him that he is “well liked” and bringing up the example of Dave Singleman.
• Wilderness

  • But it is revealing that Willy uses the imagery of the jungle and its diamonds when he decides to kill himself.
  • At last, Willy will make up for this lost opportunity and follow his father and brother into the wilderness.