Charley is a minor character in Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman.” He is Willy Loman’s next-door neighbor and friend, and he also employs Willy’s son Biff. Charley is a practical man who is level-headed and down-to-earth. He often serves as a sounding board for Willy, and he offers sage advice that Willy sometimes ignores. Charley is a foil to Willy in many ways, and his steady presence helps to highlight Willy’s volatility. Although he is not a major player in the story, Charley plays an important role in Death of a Salesman.
Death of a Salesman is Arthur Miller’s classic 1949 play about the tragic downfall of Willy Loman, a hard-working salesman who is past his prime and struggling to keep up with the rapidly changing world around him. Charley is Willy’s only real friend, and he represents a stability that Willy lacks. Charley is level-headed and practical, while Willy is often delusional and impractical. For example, when Willy tells Charley about his latest get-rich-quick scheme, Charley gently points out the flaws in Willy’s thinking. But Willy refuses to listen, preferring to cling to his illusions instead.
In addition to serving as a foil for Willy, Charley also provides comic relief in an otherwise tragic play. Charley is often bemused by Willy’s antics, and he frequently shakes his head in disbelief at Willy’s wilder ideas. However, Charley also feels compassion for his friend, and he does what he can to help Willy through his difficult times.
Arthur Miller employs the American Dream to shed light on how hard work might help you achieve it. To Charley, the American Dream is having a nice lifestyle and putting his kid Bernard through college. Charely was always busy working throughout his life, never setting goals that were too ambitious. As a result, in later years, Charely had a constant source of income to live comfortably and send his son Bernard to college. He even had enough cash left over to lend it out to Willy Loman, who was in need of money.
Charley’s character represents how the American Dream can be achieved if one is willing to work hard for an extended period of time. Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller is a story that speaks to the average person, emphasizing that the American Dream is still achievable. And through Charley’s character specifically, Arthur Miller gives hope to those who feel like they are struggling.
Charley instilled good morals in Bernard, such as striving to achieve success. By the time Charley was nearing death, he had been able to live comfortably as a result of his efforts, and he set his son Bernard on the correct path. Through his hard work in his younger days, Bernard succeeded where Biff simply played around. He is successful because he makes a decent living and pursues activities that matter to him. In high school, Biff took the easier approach by stealing all of Bernard’s homework.
Biff was always the one getting into trouble and never taking anything seriously. Charley points out to Willy that Bernard is not a lazy person like Biff, and that Biff would never amount to anything because he is too lazy.
In Death of a Salesman, Charley is successful because he works hard and has good ethics. He also recognizes Bernard’s potential early on and helps set him on the right path. In contrast, Biff is lazy and unsuccessful because he doesn’t put in the effort. Charley serves as a foil to Willy Loman, highlighting Willy’s own flaws and helping to drive the action of the play.
Bernard, on the other hand, believed in hard work and succeeded where Biff failed. By going to school and doing what he wanted to do, Bernard was making a good living. Toward the end of the play, for example, he is heading to the Supreme Court to defend a lawsuit . Bernard was an accomplished lawyer who pursued his interests with vigor. His American Dream mirrored that of his father. As a result, Charley demonstrates that Arthur Miller approved of America’s ideals.
Charley is a symbol for the failure of the American Dream in Death of a Salesman. He also represents something else which is important to the play. Charley is successful because he has sticking to his principles and doing what he loved. This was in direct contrast to Willy Loman who was always chasing after pipe dreams and things that weren’t really him.
In Death of A Salesman, Arthur Miller shows that being true to yourself is the key to success, not blindly chasing after things that may not be meant for you. The character Charley, Death of a Salesman, thus represents two important messages in Arthur Miller’s play.
Death of a Salesman is a 1949 play written by American playwright Arthur Miller. It was the recipient of the 1949 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Tony Award for Best Play. The play premiered on Broadway in February 1949, running for 742 performances, and has been revived on Broadway four times, winning three Tony Awards for Best Revival. It is widely considered to be one of the greatest plays of the 20th century.
The play is a scathing critique of the American dream and of the naivete of anyone who believes in it. The main character, Willy Loman, is a 63-year-old traveling salesman who is in the throes of a nervous breakdown. He is unable to accept that he is no longer successful and struggles to deal with his personal failures.
Charley is Willy Loman’s neighbor and only friend in Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman. In one sequence, they are engaged in a card game with each other, depicting a pleasant relationship.
Willy confides in Charley about his problems and Charley offers him advice. Despite their friendship, Charley is not above making fun of Willy behind his back. He often tells others that Willy is “crazy” and a “loser.” However, he still feels compassion for Willy and tries to help him whenever he can.
Charley is a successful businessman who owns his own company. He is able to offer Willy a job when he loses his own, which shows how much he cares for him. Though he is not always the most tactful, Charley is a well-meaning friend who only wants what’s best for Willy.