The American Dream is seriously flawed.
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 wagon and eight servants." These indicate that he is exceedingly wealthy. .
He began underprivileged and managed to achieve a majestic life. His vast wealth is portrayed with an aura of sophistication and glamour. For example; "in his blue gardens men and girls came and went like moths." The colour "blue" denotes a suggestion of magic, whilst the simile shows people are drawn to his beautiful life of fun and riches. .
Willy Loman conversely, represents failure. He has depleted his entire existence trying to accomplish his dreams, which leads to his despondency and collapse. Conversely his life implies that the Dream is flawed as a lifetime of hard work has not brought financial security; "I"m keeping an account of everything, remember.
