We studied the interaction between the symbolic metaphors of" the woods burning" and Willy's idealistic yearning to plant seeds and start a garden even where the surrounding buildings have blocked the sun and made growing vegetables impossible. We tied these symbols to an American Dream long associated with the biblical Garden of Eden and then addressed the other symbols in the play: Ben, the broken car and refrigerator, and the silk stockings Willy gifts to his paramour. After Joshua completed taking notes on these topics, we reviewed the essay he began comparing how the characters in the play perceive success or the achievement of the American Dream. We discussed how to organize and structure the remainder of the essay as well as which sections of the dialogue provide good evidence to support characterization.