Essay Comparing The Great Gatsby And Death Of A Salesman

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Seth Hildebrand English 11 ASH May 18, 1998 Comparison Paper There are many similarities between The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Death of a Salesman, by Arthur Miller. Throughout both books many questions are raised such as morality and society. They both tell stories of the expectations of society and others place on the characters and how these expectations affect them. Both works deal with real life, and show that not every story must illustrate a fantasyland where everything works out for everyone. One of the many similarities between these two great works is the integration of the automobile into the plot. In The Great Gatsby, the automobile is not just a status symbol of wealth, but an instrument of great destruction as the characters each find out. In Death of a Salesman, the automobile is used as a symbol of…show more content…
The green light to Gatzby was the symbol of his dream, which was to marry Daisy. In Death of a Salesman, Willy is also illusionary, and frequently has flashbacks of better times in his life. In one situation, Willy is “talking” to Ben, his dead brother, and his family is confused. “What’re you talking about” (Miller 46)? Willy often confused other with his flashbacks; Charley in this situation. His wife Linda generally accepted these flashbacks, but they did dishearten his children. Throughout both pieces of literature, the main characters experienced illusions. The similarities between The Great Gatsby and Death of a Salesman are uncanny. Both works feature excellent symbolism and both end in tragedy. In both works, the author’s show what society can do to a person. Willy resorted to having an affair, lying to his closest family, and mental problems. Gatsby wished to steal a woman away from one of his friends, and made his money through unethical ways. These great works feature many similarities with one
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