Once in my life I would like to own something outright before it’s broken! I’m always in a race with the junkyard! I just finished paying for the car and it’s on its last legs. The refrigerator consumes belts like a goddam maniac. They time those things. They time them so when you finally paid for them, they’re used up.
– Arthur Miller
Death of a Salesman, Act 2. Willy’s distorted American Dream of having household goods that last and don’t break down is illustrated here, as he complains about his clapped out fridge and car. These items represent the shallowness of Willy’s dream, which is entirely materialistic based. Refrigerator is personified here, having the ability to consume belts like some crazy person.