In Arthur Miller's "Death of a Salesman," Willy Loman can be seen as a tragic hero whose downfall is driven by his pursuit of the American Dream and his fatal flaw of self-delusion. The American Dream is devastating because it gives Americans false hope and leads to unrealistic expectations and it is shown through Willy Loman's longing for success, which ultimately leads to disillusionment, family conflict, and personal tragedy, serving as a different perspective of the materialistic mindset of American society during the 1940s. For example, Willy Loman is a man who believes wholeheartedly in the American Dream. In act one Willy brags, "I'm very well liked in Hartford." You know, the trouble is, Linda, people don't seem to take to me" (Miller …show more content…
Willy's hubris is evident in his refusal to accept his limitations and his longing for success and importance. However, it becomes evident that this dream is a delusion of Willy’s. His pursuit of material success blinds him to the true values of life, such as love, family, and personal morals. Additionally, fate plays a significant role in the downfall of the tragic hero. Willy says, "I've always made a point of not wasting my life, and every time I come back here I know that all I've done is to waste my life." Miller 11. Willy struggles to continue to pursue his ambitions and despite his efforts, Willy cannot escape the economic pressures and social expectations that ultimately crush his dreams. In comparison, F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby" is also about the tragedy of the American Dream. Set in the Roaring Twenties, the novel follows Jay Gatsby, whose pursuit of wealth and social status is driven by his desire to win back the love of his life, Daisy Buchanan. In the play, Linda says, "I don't say he's a great man." Willy Loman never made a lot of money. His name was never in the paper. He's not the finest character that ever