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.