Google Groups no longer supports new Usenet posts or subscriptions. Historical content remains viewable.
Dismiss

"Death of a Salesman" and the Simpsons

232 views
Skip to first unread message

Hall

unread,
Apr 30, 2002, 11:12:07 PM4/30/02
to
Ok, I just finished reading the play "Death of a Salesman." I was
struck by similarities between the main character of the play, Willy,
and Gil, the pathetic salesman on the Simpsons. Willy bemoans the fact
that he talks too much and he gets pushed around and stuff. Gil tends
to do the same thing and either talk himself out of a sale or have it
taken by a more suave colleauge. Has anyone else read this play? and if
so, do you see the similarities that I've mentioned as well as others?
Just thought I'd put this out there.

Sam :o)

Greg

unread,
May 1, 2002, 12:03:01 AM5/1/02
to
I've read the play, I think you've made an interesting analogy ;)

"Hall" <shal...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:3CCF5D09...@earthlink.net...

sch...@gefen.cc.biu.ac.il

unread,
May 1, 2002, 12:48:16 AM5/1/02
to
In article <3CCF5D09...@earthlink.net>, Hall <shal...@earthlink.net> wrote:

: Ok, I just finished reading the play "Death of a Salesman." I was


: struck by similarities between the main character of the play, Willy,

: and Gil, the pathetic salesman on the Simpsons. . .

Your ideas are intriguing to me, and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter.

-----
Richard Schultz sch...@mail.biu.ac.il
Department of Chemistry, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
Opinions expressed are mine alone, and not those of Bar-Ilan University
-----
They do not think whom they souse with spray.

Dr Music

unread,
May 1, 2002, 1:08:50 AM5/1/02
to

"Hall" <shal...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:3CCF5D09...@earthlink.net...

Mr. Burns: "...and this is the playroom."
Actor: "You can't eat the orange and throw the peel away! A man is not a
piece of fruit!"
Burns: "I ordered this play CLOSED! CLOSE IT, I say!!!"

Yours truly,
Some bozo

ALewis525

unread,
May 1, 2002, 3:15:46 AM5/1/02
to

I read that in my senior year of high school (last year). I never thought
about comparing him to Gil, but I can see your point. Interesting.

Austin

jim

unread,
May 1, 2002, 6:47:19 AM5/1/02
to
did you have any help putting that together or did you do it on your own?

"Hall" <shal...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:3CCF5D09...@earthlink.net...

Chemboy

unread,
May 1, 2002, 10:17:54 AM5/1/02
to

"Hall" <shal...@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:3CCF5D09...@earthlink.net...

I think the movie "Glengarry Glen Ross" may have more to do with the roots
of Gil, but Willy Loman could be part of him.

Remember: Coffee is for Closers!


philn...@gmail.com

unread,
Oct 29, 2014, 6:53:47 PM10/29/14
to
For anyone who finds this board 13 years after it's creation...

The similarities between Willy Loman and "Ol' Gil" are actually quite limited. I'm convinced that Gil is not an allusion to Arthur Miller's Willy Loman.

Although Gil is a salesman, he has not mentioned any children, his wife cheats on HIM, he is mostly honest, does not hallucinate, has no talents that involve building, and doesn't drive or ride in cars "Could you swing by my ex-wife's place? I want her to see me riding in a car."(Kill Gill: Vols 1&2) which is a dramatic contrast since Willy Loman is a traveling salesman.

As Chemboy mentioned, "Glengarry Glen Ross" would be a more suitable source of character allusion.

Read up on the character here: http://simpsons.wikia.com/wiki/Gil_Gunderson
Kill Gil Vol 1&2 Script: http://www.springfieldspringfield.co.uk/view_episode_scripts.php?episode=s18e09
0 new messages