The American Dream in Death of a Salesman and The Great...

Since Columbus made land, people have been searching for the â€Å"American Dream†. Many people have their own idea and ideas that have changed over a period of time, but what exactly is the â€Å"American Dream† defined as .Origins of the dream have been rooted in the pioneering mentality of the eighteenth and nineteenth century immigrants, most who came to America because of a promise for a new and better life. The American Dream was sought through hard work and determination. After the time of the World Wars, society changed and so did the view of the â€Å"American Dream†, it changed from a potential reality into being a dream. People were striving to reach their definition of the American Dream. Beliefs and values took a turn. The American Dream†¦show more content†¦Pressures on society to live the dream can make feelings of low self-worth and turn into pushing people to go further to achieve by any means necessary. The American Dream does not o nly represent honesty and truth. It has not been uncommon for big CEO’s of companies to lie, cheat and steal to achieve their â€Å"American Dream†. This has been common throughout our history of economics. As society grows, wealth is the common denominator for success, and one starts to look up to these people at the top of the ladder to have achieved the dream. These people, who are anything but ethical, are the ones who influence society as what it takes to achieve and live the dream. Hes the man who fixed the World Series back in 1919 (The Great Gatsby, page 78). The dream became so focused on money that any means of a obtaining it were condoned, even if it were unscrupulous. Result of American dream being corrupted is that the motivation and ambition were gone and the dream is left with the pursuit of an empty goal. Ignorance and the ideal of looking out for oneself are prevalent; where as in the pure American Dream striving to accomplish ones own personal g oal is ones main focus. One should use the American Dream for motivation and hope that one can achieve ones personal goal. The American Dream should notShow MoreRelatedAmerican 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 More Pursuit of the American Dream in Great Gatsby and Death of a Salesman1323 Words   |  6 PagesComparing the Pursuit of the American Dream by Jay Gatsby and Willy Loman (Essay outline also included in the word count.) 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