Throughout the history of literature, many authors have tried to reveal a clear understanding of the American Dream. And whether it is possible to achieve lies all in the character the author portrays. The Great Gatsby and The Catcher in the Rye are prime examples of this. F. Scott Fitzgerald and J.D. Salinger, the authors of these titles, respectively, fashion flawed Jay Gatsby and Holden Caulfield, with one important desire: the longing to gain what they can’t have; acceptance and the feeling of belonging. Each being different in their own ways as well.
Although the both desire the same thing they attempt this Gatsby is a man that hides himself behind the riches he attains. Gatsby delusions himself into thinking that he is able to acquire
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This obsession causes him to alienate himself from the world around him for fear of any alteration to his daily life and strays from ideas of love, terrified of losing those close to him. This belief likely originates from the passing of his brother, Allie. As a matter of fact, to take out frustrations caused by Allie’s death, he decides to shatter all the windows in the garage to the point of losing the capacity to fully create a fist. As a result, it the event gives a sensitivity to reality; creating a belief that the world was the cause of his downfall. In Salinger Seems to Agree With Holden by Lawrence Jay Dessner, he states, “Holden wants a guarantee of the purity of human motive.” This of course is tremendously difficult and virtually impossible to find, which sets Holden up for even more disaster and a greater fall. It even shows that he is aware of the demise he sets himself up for. As echoed by Mr. Antolini “‘I have a feeling that you’re riding for some kind of a terrible, terrible