Symbolism, Imagery, Allegory
(Click the symbolism infographic to download.)
The tennis racket Willy observes when he chats with Bernard in Charley’s office is a symbol of Bernard’s success and Biff’s failure. While athletic Biff and Happy hoped to make a fortune selling sports equipment, it is Bernard—who in high school stood on the sidelines while Biff played sports—who now owns the tennis racket.