Pursuit of the American Dream in Great Gatsby and Death...

Comparing the Pursuit of the American Dream by Jay Gatsby and Willy Loman (Essay outline also included in the word count.) People from all around the world have dreamed of coming to America and building a successful life for themselves. The American Dream is the idea that, through hard work and perseverance, the sky is the limit in terms of financial success and a reliable future. While everyone has a different interpretation of the American Dream, some people use it as an excuse to justify their own greed and selfish desires. Two respected works of modern American literature, The Great Gatsby and Death of a Salesman, give us insight into how the individual interpretation and pursuit of the American Dream can produce tragic†¦show more content†¦Despite receiving little payoff for his efforts, he regularly gives extravagant parties to impress others, always half expecting [Daisy] to wander [in] some night (84). Similar to Gatsby, Willy Loman from Arthur Millers Death of a Salesman, bases his American Dream on the idea that public acceptance would bring him wealth. Willy believes that appearing well liked makes him successful. Willy has based his life on the idea that if you are well liked, you will never want (Miller 33). Moreover, he believes his sons appearance will make them successful because they are both built like Adonises (33). Furthermore, Willys obsession with money leads him to equate the value of an individual with their financial worth. Willy idealized his older brother Ben because he is rich (41). Willy, reflecting on his own worth, concludes you end up worth more dead than alive (98). Finally, Willy thinks that being a popular and successful businessman will win him the love of his wife and children. Willy lies to his family, by telling his sons [if there is] one thing boys: I have friends(31). He also exaggerates terribly by telling his wife he sold five hundred gro ss in Providence and seven hundred gross in Boston (35). In his final imagined discussion with his brother Ben, Willy concludes that by taking his own life he will finance his sons business venture, and [Biff will] worship me for it (135). Although JayShow MoreRelatedDeath of a Salesman Compared to the Great Gatsby Essay613 Words   |  3 PagesComparing Death of a Salesman to The Great Gatsby In the search for the American dream many things can be lost, this is reflected in the novel The Great Gatsby and the movie Death of a Salesman. Both of these works demonstrate the lengths that some people will go to in order to achieve the stereotypical life of a rich, successful and powerful American, which is often referred to as the American dream. Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller illustrates how the character Willy will stop at nothing toRead MoreThe American Dream in Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, and The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald1096 Words   |  5 PagesThe American Dream in Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, and The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald In a majority of literature written in the 20th century, the theme of the American Dream has been a prevalent theme. This dream affects the plot and characters of many novels, and in some books, the intent of the author is to illustrate the reality of the American Dream. However, there is no one definition of the American Dream. Is it the right to pursue your hearts wish,Read MoreGatsby And Death Of A Salesman Analysis1003 Words   |  5 PagesJay Gatsby in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby and Willy Loman in Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman are both American men in pursuit of the American Dream which is, to acquire wealth, success, and prestige. 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Gatsby will eventually die due to his excessive greed, wh ich is not unlike the emotional death of Willy Loman as he fails to become a successful salesman in Author Miller’s Death of a Salesman. More so, Hurston’s depictionRead MoreAmerican Dream Derailed in The Great Gatsby and Death of a Salesman1486 Words   |  6 PagesThe American dream originated when immigrants came to America searching for new opportunities and a better life. In the early 1900’s all people could do is dream; however, those dreams gave many different meanings to the phrase â€Å"American dream†, and for the most part, wealth and hard work play a very large role in the pursuit of â€Å"the dream†. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, and Arthur Miller’s drama, Death of a Salesman, both protagonists, Jay Gatsby and Willy Loman, are convincedRead MoreThe Great Gatsby And Death Of A Salesman1241 Words   |  5 Pagesambition has been so prevalent in literature. 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Making the pursuit of dreams almost as dangerous as say a high speed police pursuit on a crowded highway, the wrong side of a cro wded even. For