The American dream arose in the Colonial period and was developed in the early nineteenth century. The American dream meant a promise of freedom and opportunity for all based on the assumption that every individual, no matter where their birthplace could prosper in life on the exclusive basis of their skill and effort. The protagonist Willy Loman in the play Death of a Salesman and the protagonist Jay Gatsby in the novel The Great Gatsby were both corrupted by the American dream and the indecent search to find happiness. Willy Loman felt betrayed throughout the novel because he could not achieve success. Throughout the play Willy's wife Linda would remind Willy of all their unpaid bills. This would upset Willy greatly. His success was based on the financial goals that society made him exert on himself. Likewise in the novel The Great Gatsby Jay Gatsby who lived within the American dream, felt betrayed because even with his enormous mansion and wealth, he was not happy since he did not have the love of his life Daisy Buchanan. Both characters Jay Gatsby and Willy Loman felt that being well liked was the main key to having success and accomplishing the Dream.

In both The Great Gatsby and Death of a Salesman, the major theme is the American dream and the failure to fulfill the glamorization of it in the 1920's. Both Willy Loman and Jay Gatsby were corrupted by the American Dream. Willy's fight to accomplish the American dream and Gatsby fight to enjoy it. The falsity was a dominant theme in both works. Willy Loman struggled to provide financial security for his family and he dreams about making himself a huge success. On the other hand Gatsby lives with in the American dream and wealth and struggles to find happiness within it. In both writings Willy and Gatsby wish to fulfill the indecent search of happiness in their lives.

Willy Loman felt that one who works hard could anticipate having a prosperous and wealthy life. Willy Loman cherished the greatness of success yet failed to choose the right business path for his life. His career of a salesman was crushed since he did not have the talent or attitude to become a successful salesman. When Willy Loman failed in his career as a salesman the love of his family and his talent as a carpenter could not even gratify him. Willy felt that if an individual fails in the business world, they had no motive to inhabit life. Throughout the play Willy's wife Linda would remind him of all their unpaid bills. This infuriated and irritated Willy. Willy said, " Once in my life I would like to own something outright before it's broken! I'm always in a race with the junkyard"(73). When Willy would get something finally paid off it would already be broken. This would remind Willy of their family's financial position, which intern reminded Willy of his failure in the sales industry. Willy knew that he was a failure and tried to push the American dream on to his sons. Willy believed that his son Biff would be very successful and would prosper in his later years. Willy believed that school was not important factor in achieving success. This also backfi

Some common words found in the essay are:
Willy Loman, Jay Gatsby, American Dream, Willy Willy, Daisy Gatsby's, Gatsby American, Daisy Buchanan, Death Salesman, Willy America, Biff Willy's, american dream, willy loman, jay gatsby, death salesman, daisy buchanan, love daisy, novel gatsby, dave singleman, green light, salesman willy, play willy's wife, indecent search happiness, theme american dream, throughout play willy's, willy's wife linda,
Approximate Word count = 1319
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)