Glengarry Glen Ross

I did not even notice until I reflected upon the play and the movie that there were no female characters in either. I think that I was more focused on the cut-throat environment of real estate. The women that are mentioned however, play an interesting role, particularly Lingk's wife. Throughout the entire play/movie, the men are the ones who seem to be in control, with the exception of Levene. Roma seems to be the one that everyone listens to. He is extremely persuasive and good with his words and ends up easily manipulating Mr. Lingk. Further in the story, however, Lingk returns to the office and tells Roma that his wife is making him decline the deal. His wife even goes as far to saying that he cannot negotiate with Roma and that he must get his money back. It seems strange to me that the men in this play are represented as in control and domineering but Lingk is so easily told what to do by his wife. The other women that are mentioned in this play are almost looked down upon by the other men. For example, Mrs. Nyborg serves Levene crumb cake. When Roma asks Levene how it was he replies, “Oh, it was store bought.” It is as if the men have no respect for women especially because of the harsh words that they tend to call one another. They always seem to be questioning each other’s manhood. Everyone talks down to Williamson and Williamson takes it and fires right back at them. However, I find it interesting that with the case of Roma he seems to hold his tongue and not say anything at all; it is almost as if he respects him the most. Contrastingly, Levene's life seems to be out of control. He isn't getting the good leads and has not been high on the board for a month. It is Levene’s “big mouth” and inability to speak fluently that ultimately lead to his downfall. I think that the lack of women in this story make the men seem more powerful, even if they are weak themselves.