When confronted by Biff, Willy not only denies that he was going to use the hose, but also denies ever seeing it before. Instead of being remembered as a successful businessman who died, Willy is seen by his family as a failure that cannot even commit suicide or tell the truth. .
Willy's brother Ben seems to symbolize all of Willy's dreams that have not become a reality. Ben is an example of the type of success that Willy desires. Ben went into the "jungle" with nothing and became extremely wealthy. Ben achieved in a few years what Willy has dreamed about his entire life. Ben also provides additional evidence on the foolish behavior and poor decisions made by Willy. Ben offers to take Willy with him and make him rich - an offer that Willy declines. .
Another important symbol is Howard's tape recorder. It represents the many material objects wealthy businessmen could provide for their families and for themselves. Willy wanted this lifestyle; he wanted "something he could lay his hands on." It would not be enough to just be successful; Willy wanted to be able to show people material representations of his success. The tape recorder shows that Howard has reached this level of success. Yet while the recorder symbolizes the wealth and power of Howard, it also represents Willy's discouragement and failure. Willy is in Howard's office fighting for his job and his security, and Howard is much more interested in the tape recorder than he is in Willy's plight. He fires Willy, all the while playing with his new toy. While Willy is experiencing ultimate failure in the business world, the loss of his job, Howard is focusing on his own success, represented by the tape recorder.
The tape recorder also reflects Willy's inability to learn new technologies and adapt to society. Willy is an old-fashioned guy who made no attempt to change or evolve. He cannot even figure out how to turn off the tape recorder when he is left alone with it.
