The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and the play Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller demonstrates the notion of how an individual's relationship with his or her society is responsible for the sacrifices he or she makes. The Great American Dream is an underlying theme in both texts. This theme is personified through the protagonists, presenting the idea that an illusion is often placed upon those who blindly seek this Dream. Illusion and time are themes, which play major roles in the course of both texts, closely linked to the pursuit of the American Dream and thus, the sacrifices the characters make.

The Great American Dream - the American ideal that inspires the belief that with hard work and belief in oneself one could achieve their ambitions of wealth and personal status. Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby and Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman...