The presentation of the ideal of the American Dream is a mixture of contrast and confusion. There are two sides to the Dream; one is the idealised version, which indicates that the Dream is about belief in immeasurable possibility, that there are no limits to what can be achieved. This allows people to be free from whatever limits life imposes on them. Another side is the materialistic element, which states that the American Dream is solely based on getting rich, the ‘rags to riches’ ideal. This is echoed through Miller’s use of Willy Loman, who is determined to turn his and his sons, lives around, and is also depicted in Jay Gatsby, who has achieved the Dream materialistically. In this essay I am going to portray the differing opinions of F. Scott Fitzgerald and A. Miller, their portrayals of the American Dream, its risks and dangers.

Jay Gatsby represents the flourishing side of the Dream. He seems to show that it is possible to achieve great success from nothing through the examples of his possessions; “I watched the guests diving from the tower of his raft, or taking the sun on the hot sand of his beach while his two motor-boats slit the water. His Rolls-Royce, his station

On the contrary, Death of A Salesman indicates that dreams can prosper, as Miller states that through hard work one can gain success. Charley, Ben and Bernard are the ideals of the dream, but this shows that not everyone in society can accomplish it, there has to be a ‘top dog’, and some people must also be losers.

Some topics in this essay:
American Dream, Biff Happy, Linda Willy, Valley Ashes, Willy Loman, Jay Gatsby, East Egg, Dream Charley, Charley Ben, Salesman” Willy’s, american dream, biff happy, willy talking, gatsby’s dream, dream world, valley ashes, stage directions, past experiences, distinct lack communication, communication logic willy, casts doubt, talking people manages, fitzgerald casts, people manages drift, willy talking people,