Strongbox/letters

At the very start of the book, Willy discovers the strong box when he is looking for something that might hint at why his grandfather is sick. The strongbox is hidden away underneath the floorboard. It contains the records of how much his grandfather owes in taxes. The strongbox and records inside the box represent the hidden shame that Willy’s grandfather feels, as it makes him feel like a failure that he can’t provide for Willy and take care of the farm himself.

Willy’s Savings

Several times throughout the course of the story Willy refers to the fifty dollars he has saved for college. For Willy, this represents his hope. At first, the money if for the education he wants to get in the future. Then, he uses it to enter the race, determined that he’ll be able to win and...