American Dream Derailed in The Great Gatsby and Death of a...

The 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 convinced that the way to achieve a better life is by living the â€Å"American dream†. However, the dream does not end up successfully for these two characters. In fact, their ideals and hopes of rising to success cause their American dream to take a turn into†¦show more content†¦Ã¢â‚¬Å"East Egg represents the established aristocracy, West Egg the self-made rich† (Sparknotes). West egg has new money which refers to wealth that has b een gained by working and East egg has old money which refers to money that has been inherited. Tom and Daisy were born into the American dream unlike Gatsby who has grown from a poor childhood to being a millionaire. Gatsby is known for his extravagant parties but people did not really know who Gatsby was. His parties symbolize his desperate need for attention though he through these drunken parties for the hope that Daisy will eventually show up to one of them. It may seem as if Gatsby has already achieved the American dream by the outside of his home. He demands esteem by showing off his wealth through purchases like when he says to Nick, â€Å"My house looks well doesn’t it? See how the whole front of it catches the light† (Fitzgerald 89). In the drama, Death of a Salesman, Arthur Miller portrays Willy Loman, an average traveling salesman in Brooklyn who wants to live the dream. In the late 1940’s, the American dream was not so much of having an enormous amount of money, but a comfortable wealth and to be able to live a perfect modern American life. Willy Loman’s dream is to be successful in business and be someone who is â€Å"well-liked† by everyone. â€Å"Willy believes that personality, not hard work and innovation, is the key to success.†(The