Since the founding of The United States, many have dreamed of coming to this great land to escape tyranny, persecution, and oppression. Over time, this desire has turned into The American Dream. The American Dream is different to everyone, and many authors express this dream through their novels. The Great Gatsby, Death of a Salesman, and The Catcher in the Rye all expose the faults of the stereotypical American Dream that success, material possessions, and unrealistic ideals will bring fulfillment and happiness.
             Many people associate the American Dream with success. This association is exactly what F. Scott Fitzgerald made in The Great Gatsby and what Arthur Miller made in Death of a Salesman. Gatsby and Daisy's relationship never worked out, mostly because Gatsby did not have much money, and Daisy came from a wealthy family. Now that Gatsby has achieved what he calls success and has bought a lavish new house he feels Daisy can finally be his. "He hadn't once ceased looking at Daisy and I think he revalued everything in his house according to the measure of response it drew from her well-loved eyes" (Fitzgerald 96-97). Gatsby worked his entire adult life to acquire his enormous house and all the trappings that adorned it. These desires are the corruption in Gatsby's dream. Gatsby made his success entirely for another person, not for himself, and it is implied that it was made illegally.
             Willie Loman, the main character of Death of a Salesman, always strived to be the most successful and well-liked salesman in New England. His dream was to make money to support his family well and be revered by all his colleagues. Willie's fault was that he did not know how to achieve his goal. He thought that all it took was to be well liked by everyone and then success would come to him. "Because the man who makes an appearance in the business world, the man who creates personal interest, is t...