In society it is considered that if a person works hard then that person will attain success. In the play, "The Death of a Salesman" by Arthur Miller, and the novel, The Great Gatsby , by F. Scott Fitzgerald, one can see that the objective of the main characters is to attain the American dream. Traditionally the American dream meant opportunity and freedom for all but that is not the case in these two classic works. At one time America was considered a place that if you work hard you will become successful. Both these authors are arguing the fact that the dream has become corrupted by greed and by materialism. The death of a salesman and the great Gatsby are strong commentaries which criticize and condemn a social system controlled by wealth, one living life to attain money and being indifferent towards other human beings.
             The Great Gatsby and "The Death of a salesman" denounce the notion that their characters lifestyle is controlled by wealth. One can see this by the unbridgeable gap between Tom Buchanan and Mr. Wilson in the Great Gatsby. Tom Buchanan is a arrogant and a egoistic man who inherited an enormous amount of wealth from his family. Where as Mr. Wilson is a honest hard working man, who is living his life to make his wife happy. In spite he is a man that needs to feel of Mr. Wilson work ethics he cannot win Tom's respect and friendship. "When are you going to see me that car? ... my man is working on it!."(Fitzgerald 27 ). In this quote, Knowing that Mr. Wilson is in desperate need of the car, Tom uses it to make himself feel powerful and to make Mr. Wilson look foolish. Tom knows that he is not going to sell Mr. Wilson the car, he is just playing one of his senseless game with him. Furthermore, one can see that the law easily, changed depending on the size of your wallet. "Taking a white card from his wallet, he waved it before the man's eyes. "right you are agreed the policeman. "know your time, Mr. Gatsby ...