Student Question
What contrasts and similarities exist in the American dream as presented in The Great Gatsby and Death of a Salesman?
Quick answer:
Both The Great Gatsby and Death of a Salesman explore the corruption of the American Dream. They differ in how their protagonists, Gatsby and Willy Loman, pursue this dream, with Gatsby seeking wealth and status, while Willy aims for success through salesmanship. Both characters are under illusions about their goals, leading to personal tragedy. However, their motivations differ, with Gatsby driven by love and Willy by societal expectations.
First of all, The Great Gatsby is a novel, and Death of a Salesman is a full-length drama. Neither one is a short story.
For a compare and contrast essay, you might try the following:
- Compare the corruption of the American Dream in both works
- Contrast the differences in the ways the two protagonists attempt to achieve the American Dream
- Compare or contrast the illusions the protagonists are under, depending on whether you find them similar or different
- Ditto the ways in which the pursuit of the American Dream leads to tragedy
- Contrast the motivation each protagonist has for pursuing the American Dream
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