The Pursuit of happyness and The Great Gatsby

Readers see that conventions can be manipulated for specific effects. Both texts Pursuit of Happiness directed by Gabriele Muccino and Death of a salesman written by Arthur Miller effectively implement conventions in effort to gain a response from the audience. Muccino’s drama film Pursuit of happiness is an American biographical film based on the true lift story of Chris Gardner and his nearly one year struggle with homelessness. Gardner is under the constant strain of financial pressure, and his privation to provide for his family, causes the mother of his child to leave. Gardner continues to pursue happiness in achieving the American dream, solely for the security of his son. Miller’s drama play Death of a salesman was written in the 1940’s about a self-absorbed salesman, Willy Loman, whose struggle for success in pursuing the American dream ‘drives’ him to commit a cowardly suicide. Both texts manipulate dialogue and plot in exploring family values and male stereotypes. These conventions are effectively used in achieving a specific response from the audience.

Through the execution of dialogue, family values are portrayed, gaining different responses from the audience. In the Pursuit of happiness, Gardner seeks a mutual bond with his son, Christopher, and exerts to make sure his son knows he will always be loyal to him. Gardner ensures his son he is loyal in securing him when he says “You gotta trust me, alright?” “I trust you” “Good! Cause I’m gonna get a better job!”
His assurance in his tone depicts his eagerness and will to persevere in this promise he has made. It conduces the audience to understand that Gardner is a supportive father who values his son’s opinion and confirms his trust in him to protect him. This appeals to the audience’s values due to seeing trust and loyalty as essential family qualities. It also causes them to side with Gardner and confide their own trust in him to succeed throughout the film.

However Death of a salesman on