Duty and Responsibility
The main theme of Glengarry Glen Ross centers on business and, by extension, capitalism. Mamet doesn't glorify or condemn the workings of business; rather, he portrays the archetypal business character, the salesman, who fights to maneuver through the system, frequently sacrificing his humanity in the process. Within the play, Mamet incorporates a line from the "Practical Sales Maxim: 'Always Be Closing.'" Every interaction is viewed as a business deal, including personal relationships.
American Dream
The traditional American dream of progressing through sincere effort is contradicted by the fact that, for these salesmen, achievement is only gauged by material wealth, and the exclusive route to success is through sales. They are selling land—presumably valueless—to buyers who anticipate that acquiring it will yield substantial gains when resold. Interestingly, there is no talk of developing or residing on the land; it is consistently referred to as an investment opportunity. Moreover, the salesmen are willing to say and promise anything to "seal" a deal.
Alienation and Loneliness
All the characters experience a sense of alienation from both nature and their fellow individuals. They appear detached from the land they sell, dismissively labeling it as "crap" and treating it solely as a commodity. They are also estranged from their clients, whom they look down upon, as well as from each other. Although they share a mutual disdain for the unjust system, any hint of friendship—whether among themselves or with a customer—quickly reveals itself as another deception, another step toward "closing." For example, Moss seems to empathize with Aaranow but is actually setting him up for a burglary. Roma engages in what appears to be a sincere conversation with Lingk, giving the impression that they are old friends, but he is merely disarming a stranger before presenting a sales brochure. Roma pretends to collaborate with Levene only to betray him shortly afterward.
Language
Although language will be examined more thoroughly in the "style" section, it's crucial to note its role as a major theme in Glengarry Glen Ross. Conventional communication has been compromised. Even remarks that seem to express friendship or personal beliefs might be deceptive. For these characters, language is simply a means to manipulate both prospective clients and one another.
Deception
Deception is a recurring theme throughout the play. Characters frequently engage in lying and fantasizing as part of their thought processes and actions. Genuine statements are rare, with most dialogue being untruthful. A notable instance unfolds in Act II when Lingk visits the office to retract his contract. Roma and Levene quickly devise a convincing, impromptu act, with Levene pretending to be a senior executive from American Express and claiming to be a major investor in the property Roma is offering. Throughout the play, the characters habitually turn to deceit whenever they encounter challenging circumstances, which happens quite frequently.
Success and Failure
In the isolated universe of Glengarry Glen Ross, and more broadly within American capitalism, success and failure have clear definitions. Success is synonymous with accumulating wealth, whereas failure is the absence of it. Both the salesmen and their customers associate success with financial prosperity; clients are convinced that buying land will ultimately result in significant profits. If the salesmen cannot close deals, their self-worth is deeply affected. For these individuals, selling is not merely a job—it's a core component of their identity.
Sexism
Glengarry Glen Ross depicts a world dominated by men, emphasizing the dynamics of male relationships. In this setting, selling is synonymous with masculinity. Characters like Roma and Levene criticize Williamson for lacking manliness since he has never participated in face-to-face sales. The play references only two women: Lingk's wife and Levene's daughter. Lingk's...
(This entire section contains 119 words.)
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wife pressures him to confront Roma and cancel their contract. Roma seems to sympathize with Lingk, trying to address the matter in a straightforward manner. Ultimately, Lingk cancels the contract and apologizes for "betraying" Roma. Levene's daughter, who has received an education, is briefly mentioned as being unwell. This short mention of his daughter provides a rare moment of genuine warmth within the predominantly male group.
Anger and Hatred
In a world ruled by fierce competition, lacking both ethics and camaraderie, all the characters are driven by anger and animosity. They are frustrated with Williamson for not supplying superior leads and harbor resentment toward one another, as one person's success means another's downfall. They find themselves ensnared in an unfair system and are fully conscious of it. As the play draws to a close, Aaranow candidly expresses what everyone, except perhaps Roma, feels: "Oh, God, I hate this job."
Morals and Morality
Glengarry Glen Ross lacks any reference to morals, ethics, or even fundamental business principles. The characters are not guided by morality or ethics in their actions. During Roma's pseudo-philosophical exchange with Lingk, he states that he does "that today which seems to me correct today." While Roma admits the possibility of an absolute morality, he dismisses it with, "And then what?" The play's lack of morality gradually becomes evident to the audience, influencing its entire narrative. The characters inhabit a harsh environment where only the strong survive, and nothing else holds significance.
Conscience
Similarly, none of the characters carry the weight of a conscience. It appears to be missing from everyone's personality. Again, it is Roma who introduces this idea in Act I, scene iii: "You think that you're a thief? So what? You get confused by a middle-class morality ... ? Get rid of it. Block it out. You cheated on your wife ...? You did it, live with it. (Pause) You mess with little girls, so be it?"
Avarice and the American Dream
Glengarry Glen Ross by David Mamet delves into a world where business is king, portraying a relentless pursuit driven by greed. The characters are consumed by avarice as they ambitiously chase after valuable leads, employing any means necessary—truth or deception—to close deals and ascend the sales hierarchy. This play, much like Mamet’s earlier works such as American Buffalo and The Water Engine, uses the American dream as a backdrop, framing the social and cultural landscape that the drama navigates.
In their fervent yet often pitiable attempts to sell real estate, the salesmen of Glengarry Glen Ross embody the myth of the American dream. Yet, their pursuit involves more than just selling land; it requires them to sell their very selves. The stakes are high, and the pressure to succeed is palpable, pushing these characters to the brink as they grapple with their aspirations and the moral compromises they must make. The play captures this intense struggle, revealing a raw portrait of ambition and the sacrifices made in the name of success.
Public vs. Private Self
Through a sharp lens, the play dissects the duality of human nature by juxtaposing the polished facade of the public self with the tumultuous inner world of the private self. The salesmen, with their persuasive charm and relentless eagerness to please, embody a public persona that masks the internal turmoil festering beneath the surface. This tension is artfully rendered in a series of incisive events that stretch beyond individual experiences to capture a more universal human condition.
As these characters navigate their interactions, the play gradually reveals them as tragic figures, each grappling with personal despair while trying to maintain a polished exterior. Mamet's exploration extends beyond the personal struggles of these individuals, casting a critical eye on the broader tragedy inherent in modern life. Through intense confrontations and dialogues, the play unveils the stark contrast between the characters’ public masks and their private realities, offering a poignant commentary on the human experience in a contemporary world that often demands more than it gives.
Competition and Moral Collapse
In Glengarry Glen Ross, the lines between the public and private spheres blur, forged by the salesmen's unwavering belief in the American dream as a guiding cultural force. These characters are devoted to the tenets of free enterprise, cherishing the idea that competition is the lifeblood of democratic capitalism and thrives best in the absence of governmental constraints. This fervent belief in unfettered competition propels Levene, Moss, Aaronow, and Roma, each feeling a sense of justification, even entitlement, in their relentless quest for the American dream.
While Mamet's salesmen strive to elevate their spirits through diligence and profit, their methods reveal a darker side. Roma stoops to deception, while Moss and Levene succumb to criminality. Thus, a central theme of the play emerges: when private self-interest operates without the checks of moral conscience, the result is the inevitable disintegration of the self. In this narrative, social responsibility is conspicuously absent, replaced by a pervasive sense of anomie. This environment, devoid of ethical boundaries, allows personal ambitions to spiral unchecked, ultimately leading each character toward moral and existential collapse.
