The American dream was an aspiration that slowly developed in America in post-World War II society. Citizens of the United States found themselves desiring monetary wealth, material possessions, and a sense of security in order to achieve the highest level of happiness possible. In both the novel The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and the drama Death of a Salesman, by Arthur Miller, the protagonists, Jay Gatsby and Willy Loman respectively, reveal their struggles for happiness and the American dream. Gatsby and Loman each strive to bring to fruition the American dream, but, unfortunately, each is startled to discover that fulfillment of this dream does not bring about happiness, but leads to his own tragic downfall.
Jay Gatsby lives as a perpetual enigma to all but the narrator, Nick Carraway. Throughout the course of the novel Nick reveals the truths about Gatsby and his life. From early on in his life Gatsby is disgusted with his lowly social position. "An instinct toward his future glory had led him to the small Lutheran college [where] he stayed for two weeks despising the janitor's work with which he was to pay his way through" (Fitzgerald 105). This dependence on manual labor sickens Gatsby, so he flees to Lake Superior, where he encounters the copper mogul, Dan Cody. Cody employs Gatsby mainly to take care of him while he is drunk, until Cody meets his demise, leaving a small fortune of twenty-five thousand dollars to Gatsby. Unfortunately, Gatsby does not receive this sum due to the greed of Cody's wife. Gatsby's time spent with Dan Cody instills within him a hunger for material wealth. After serving a spell in the military with Nick, Jay Gatsby illegally sells alcohol during the prohibition era. It is from his moonshine days that Gatsby amasses his wealth and displays this wealth quite ostentatiously, purchasing a large, very expensive home in a prestigious part of Long Island. However, upon climbing to the top of the metaphorical... [continues]
Jay Gatsby lives as a perpetual enigma to all but the narrator, Nick Carraway. Throughout the course of the novel Nick reveals the truths about Gatsby and his life. From early on in his life Gatsby is disgusted with his lowly social position. "An instinct toward his future glory had led him to the small Lutheran college [where] he stayed for two weeks despising the janitor's work with which he was to pay his way through" (Fitzgerald 105). This dependence on manual labor sickens Gatsby, so he flees to Lake Superior, where he encounters the copper mogul, Dan Cody. Cody employs Gatsby mainly to take care of him while he is drunk, until Cody meets his demise, leaving a small fortune of twenty-five thousand dollars to Gatsby. Unfortunately, Gatsby does not receive this sum due to the greed of Cody's wife. Gatsby's time spent with Dan Cody instills within him a hunger for material wealth. After serving a spell in the military with Nick, Jay Gatsby illegally sells alcohol during the prohibition era. It is from his moonshine days that Gatsby amasses his wealth and displays this wealth quite ostentatiously, purchasing a large, very expensive home in a prestigious part of Long Island. However, upon climbing to the top of the metaphorical... [continues]
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