question about death of a salesman

[Robert.gonzales]

Does any one have any thoughts on what charley means (or why he says it) when he says that his salvation is that he never took any interest in anything?

[backline]

Salesmen focus only on sales and selling. All other activities cut into time on the sales floor, or whatever venue your sales are in.

[Robert.gonzales]

So what your saying is that you think charley is giving Willy advice about being a salesman instead of answering his question about Bernard?

[backline]

Charlie resents that Bernard didn't follow in his father's footsteps. Instead, he busied himself and became a lawyer.
The message is to not be assiduous about such abstract concepts as truth (that ruins salesmen).

[Robert.gonzales]

That's an interesting take on charley's relationship with his son. I think evidence from the play suggests exactly the opposite.

[backline]

Welp, I see a secret resentment betrayed.
Willy doesn't like Charley, but they're both alike and are distant from their sons. Willy is scattered and unavailable. Charley is focused and unavailable.
C'mon, Charlie has a sales firm. His "goody two shoes" son did not follow him into a sales career.

Now, to be fair, I must admit I'm shooting from the hip here. I haven't read Death of a Salesman in decades. Perhaps you should wait for other perspectives. I may be off on my own tack seeing resentments that aren't really there. Maybe I imply them because I'm just a cynic generally.

[Robert.gonzales]

I don't know, that strikes me as a devil's advocate's view. After all, he's cleary proud of bernard. Although I suppose it could mean that he never pressured him or filled his head with false notions like willy did to his sons. Hmm, food for thought I guess.

[backline]

...never pressured him or filled his head with false notions like willy did to his sons...

Like to be "well liked."


I can be frequently wrong about things, but one thing I'm sure about is MY opinions.