CHARLEY: I offered you a job. You can make fifty dollars a week. And I won’t send you on the road.
WILLY: I’ve got a job.
CHARLEY: Without pay? What kind of a job is without pay? (He rises) Now look kid, enough is enough. I’m no genius but I know when I’m being insulted.
WILLY: Insulted!
CHARLEY: Why don’t you want to work for me?
WILLY: What’s the matter with you? I’ve got a job!
– Arthur Miller
Death of a Salesman, Act 2. This very important scene between Willy and his more successful and down to earth friend Charley highlights the contrast between the two characters. Willy asks Charley for money to pay for his insurance after he is fired from his job. Charley offers Willy both money and a job. However, an absurdly proud Willy thumbs his nose up to Charley’s generous offer of practical help. He prefers to indulge in the self-deception that he still has a job.