[The Corporate Hierarchy] Mitch & Murray (Invisible Gods) │ John Williamson (The Gatekeeper / Bureaucrat) │ ┌──────────┴──────────┐ Richard Roma Shelley Levene (The Alpha) (The Has-Been) Richard Roma: The Master Manipulator
The private desperation of Act I erupts into public betrayal as the characters turn on one another under police interrogation. Key Thematic Arenas glengarry glen ross grade 11 1260l fixed
| Character | Portrayed By (in Film) | Role in the Play | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Al Pacino | The office's top closer; charismatic and ruthless. | | Shelley "The Machine" Levene | Jack Lemmon | A once-successful veteran salesman now in a desperate slump. | | Dave Moss | Ed Harris | A bitter, angry salesman who plots the burglary. | | George Aaronow | Alan Arkin | A meek and nervous salesman who is easily manipulated. | | John Williamson | Kevin Spacey | The office manager; seen as inept and despised by the sales team. | | Blake | Alec Baldwin | A motivational trainer sent from corporate; famous for his aggressive "Always Be Closing" speech. | [The Corporate Hierarchy] Mitch & Murray (Invisible Gods)
The primary vehicle for Mamet’s critique is the immense pressure placed on the salesmen by the corporate hierarchy. This pressure is best exemplified by the character Blake, who arrives from downtown to deliver a motivational speech that is anything but motivating. He announces the new competition: "First prize is a Cadillac Eldorado. Second prize is a set of steak knives. Third prize is you're fired." This "stack ranking" system dehumanizes the employees, turning their livelihoods into a gladiatorial contest. The famous "ABC" mantra—"Always Be Closing"—reduces human interaction to a predatory act. By stripping away job security, the management forces the salesmen to abandon ethical boundaries just to survive, suggesting that the capitalist machine devours its own workers. | | Dave Moss | Ed Harris |
The top closer who uses manipulation and charm to deceive customers like Lingk.
Levene's realization of his declining relevance. "A man's his job... You are what you sell." On Manipulative Philosophy: Roma's predatory worldview.
This line from the film version encapsulates the brutal, competitive nature of the sales floor, a sentiment that resonates throughout the play.