In the play Death of a Salesman, the playwright, Arthur Miller, often uses the symbolism of father and son relationships to emphasize the purpose of the play, which is the importance of friendship. Willy, the protagonist, and Charley, his friend, have a father and son relationship. Charley cares for Willy and worries about his state of mind, as a father does. Furthermore, Charley is kind and generous to Willy and often offers him jobs. In response to Charley’s compassion, Willy is rude and disrespectful, which is similar to a discourteous son. Willy is stubborn and refuses to accept Charley’s job offers because he is fixated on being successful in his own way. Willy and Charley’s relationship is representative of a unappreciative son and worrisome father,
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Willy asks Charley for financial help, and Charley offers him a job that will help him live pleasantly. Charley says,
CHARLEY: I offered you a job. You can make fifty dollars a week. And I won’t send you on the road. (Page 96)
Charley sees Willy’s financial difficulties and wants to help him live comfortably. Charley is very aware of Willy’s financial situation and the fact that he is old and can no longer travel on the road. Charley tries to offer Willy a job that will pay well and suit his old age because Charley cares for Willy as if he were his son. Charley values Willy and their friendship and wants to be able to support his friend as much as he can. Charley understands the importance of helping his friend Willy and supports him to the extent that a father supports his child.
While Charley is always kind and warm towards Willy, as a father is, Willy behaves similarly to a rude son towards Charley. Willy believes that bones are associated with heartburn, and when Charley tells him that this is wrong Willy becomes defensive. Miller
Willy asks Charley for financial help, and Charley offers him a job that will help him live pleasantly. Charley says,
CHARLEY: I offered you a job. You can make fifty dollars a week. And I won’t send you on the road. (Page 96)
Charley sees Willy’s financial difficulties and wants to help him live comfortably. Charley is very aware of Willy’s financial situation and the fact that he is old and can no longer travel on the road. Charley tries to offer Willy a job that will pay well and suit his old age because Charley cares for Willy as if he were his son. Charley values Willy and their friendship and wants to be able to support his friend as much as he can. Charley understands the importance of helping his friend Willy and supports him to the extent that a father supports his child.
While Charley is always kind and warm towards Willy, as a father is, Willy behaves similarly to a rude son towards Charley. Willy believes that bones are associated with heartburn, and when Charley tells him that this is wrong Willy becomes defensive. Miller