“Always be closing.” This line is a common theme in the play and is the perfect description of masculinity. Based on the character’s speech masculinity is an important trait a salesman should embody and this can be achieved by them being effective and efficient in what they do. In the play and the movie the portrayal of masculinity is based solely, on their ability to sell land to potential leads. According to Johnson, every character, from the down-on-his-luck Shelly Levene to the top salesman Ricky Roma, is included in an emasculating occurrence. Many conclusions can be drawn about Mamet’s idea of masculinity. The scenes that were added and altered in the movie version of the play reinforce the idea that masculinity is not and cannot be accomplished through the techniques and principles of the characters in the play. In both the play and movie the character of George Aaronow encompasses what the other characters fear; that is not being a success. He’s unable to secure successful deals and …show more content…
In the movie another side of Levene is revealed that is not clearly revealed in the play. For example his reaction to Barker is tough and powerful; he is seen as a man who is standing up for himself and his peers. The movie opens with Levene on the phone talking about his sick daughter. In this and the other added conversations about his daughter, Levene personifies many of the traits not included in the definition of masculinity in both the movie and play. Desperate to close a deal Levene begs Williamson for premium leads and assures him that he is capable of closing the deal. Levene uses his past success as leverage with Williamson to show that he has what it takes to be a man. Levene’s failure to close crushes his confidence and gives way to a worried and desperate person. According to the standards of the play, he cannot be considered a man due to his inability to