Inanimated Objects in Death Of A Salesman An inanimate object can be significant in a literary work. What purpose does the tape recorder serve? What other objects are significant in the play and what purposes do they serve? In Arthur Miller's play "Death of a Salesman" inanimate objects are very important to the play. There are many inanimate objects in the play. The tape recorder, being one of the most important. The tape recorder represents all that Willy Loman is not or will never have. The repairing of the stockings by his wife is a constant reminder that he was unfaithful to his her. The rubber tubing, the Studebaker, the Chevrolet, and t