What Does Charley Really Mean?

In the play Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, Willy and Charley are carrying on a somewhat heated conversation. Charley tells Willy, while they are talking, "the only thing you got in this world is what you can sell" (1256). I believe Charley means that Willy can only sell what he posses in this world. He is not talking about physically selling a product. I feel this way because of the statement before that when Charley says, "you named him Howard, but you can't sell that" (1256). One of the various definitions of sell is to win acceptance or approval. Willy is talking about how Howard treats him. Willy wishes he could make Howard see what an asset he would be if he stayed closer to home and did not travel. Willy only wants to win over Howard's acceptance and approval. Charley is telling Willy that he does not poses the ability to do this.

This reflects America in the late 1940's the same way as it does in the America of 2012. Everyone is always searching for someones approval. This could be shown through a employee trying to prove to his employer how valuable he or she can be, the same way Willy is trying to show Howard. It could also be a child searching for his Mom or Dad to approve of their actions, just as Biff tries to sell Willy every second he gets. Or it could be shown in everyday people trying to get anyone to approve or accept their ways. Charley is trying to teach Willy that he should not worry so much about how Howard feels about him. He is trying to offer Willy a job out of the kindness of his heart, because he knows Willy does not poses the skills to survive business he is in anymore.

And the Race is On!!!

When asked to write an extra blog post for GDR 4 my mind has went absolutely 100% blank. I have no idea really what to blog about today and its driving me nuts. My mind has shifted from rambling on about work, to talking about rabbit hunting, to completely rambling on about the random thoughts that are currently going through my head.

Today I will explain rabbit hunting to everyone. Rabbit hunting is a sport that is just as hard for the hunter as it is for the dogs. Rabbit hunting begins once you let the dogs out of their cage. As soon as their feet hit the ground the dogs nose if sniffing away. Many times hunters are not even ready before the first race begins. I call it a race because it’s a race for the rabbit to elude the dogs and a race for the hunters to catch up with the dogs that are chasing the rabbit. Rabbit chases can last anywhere from a couple of minutes to thirty minutes depending on numerous things. If the rabbit eludes the dogs by causing them to lose its trail the race can end quickly. If the hunters are not in the right place at the right time the rabbit race can go on for a while longer. Rabbit hunting is an art to say the least. Each dog chasing the rabbit is unique in its own way. Each rabbit the dogs chase has their own way of going about the chase. Some ol’ sly rabbits are very allusive and can trick the dogs easily. Some rabbits are not as slick as others and end up running right into the trap of a hunter who is standing there with his weapon. I hope this doesn’t offend anyone and I will stop here. Just keep in mind that if a rabbit is to be laid to rest all of its edible remains are not left behind!!!

Casting Role's for Death of a Salesman

If I was casting a movie for Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman, I would choose the following actors to play Willy, Linda, Happy and Biff.

Willy – Russell Crowe
Linda - Helen Hunt
Happy -Matt Damon
Biff - Owen Wilson

Willy Loman is an aging salesman who is dealing with depression. He talks to himself throughout the play and imagines people that are not really there. Willy also has flash backs in the play where he envisions events that happened in his life before now. I chose to go with Russell Crowe for the character because he fits the part very well. Russell played the main role in “A Beautiful Mind” and it couldn’t have been played any better. I believe from his experience in “A Beautiful Mind” Russell could easily depict Willy’s characteristics.

Linda Loman, Willy’s wife, is the back bone of the family. She tries her best to cope with Willy’s actions and his feuds with Biff.  Helen Hunt is the actress I would choose for this role. She has always been a strong woman character in my eyes. I believe she would be able to portray Linda’s life in the movie by using her experience from the other movies she has been in.

Happy Loman is the younger of the two sons. Happy has always lived in the footsteps of Biff until now. Happy was always almost completely ignored by Willy throughout the early years of his life. Now Happy is successful as an assistant and more settled and matured than Biff. I would choose Matt Damon to play this role in the movie. Happy is considered a handsome man who can easily pick up women. Matt Damon has portrayed a successful man and a man who lived a good life in a couple of movies. Matt’s skill and experience would help him become Happy Loman in the movie.

Biff Loman is the older of the two sons. He was the star child throughout the early years, but has since taken a step back. Biff is continuously trying to find himself and become a settled man. I would ask Owen Wilson to play this role in the movie. Owen Wilson has the ability to play someone who is lost and hasn’t matured. He also has the ability to portray a settled character in a movie and a more serious role.

The American Dream

When asked how I would you define the American Dream, my mind automatically thinks of one particular thing. I believe the American Dream is all about happiness.

Happiness in my life is achieved by the following three things.

• My Family
• My Job
• My Lifestyle

My family has been through many ups and downs throughout the 22 years of my life. I lost my dad when I was 12 and all but one of my Grandparents has also passed away. God has surrounded me with wonderful people and has blessed me with a Fiancé whose family has more than fielded the void that is within my family. I do not have the typical American family, but what I do have makes me more than happy.

My job is also another important aspect of my American Dream. I happily manage an electrical maintenance company and I am currently taking classes to pursue a degree in Accounting. With a background in business, a bachelor degree in accounting, a CPA license and a good work ethic my dream job will hopefully await me. This job will help me achieve happiness and provide for my family.

My lifestyle and future lifestyle is another thing that brings me happiness. In my future I do not have to have an extravagant lifestyle in order to achieve happiness. I do not need a million dollar mansion with numerous high priced cars sitting out front. I do not need to travel the world and go to luxurious vacation destinations. If I can provide for my family and kids and give them more than I had when growing up, then I will be more than happy.  

With the family I have in my life, my job and my lifestyle I can easily achieve my plans of living the American Dream.  

(300 Words)