English — Literature: The American Dream in Literature — Miller, Fitzgerald and Steinbeck — 3rd Year Secondary

The American Dream is a central theme in American literature. It represents the belief that anyone can achieve success through hard work and determination, regardless of their background.

I. The Concept of the American Dream

The American Dream is rooted in the Declaration of Independence (1776) which states that “all men are created equal” and have the right to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” It promises upward social mobility and material success.

II. F. Scott Fitzgerald — The Great Gatsby (1925)

Fitzgerald’s masterpiece critiques the American Dream. Jay Gatsby, the protagonist, achieves wealth but fails to win the love of Daisy Buchanan, revealing the emptiness of materialism and class barriers. The famous “green light” symbolizes Gatsby’s hopes and the elusive nature of the dream.

III. Arthur Miller — Death of a Salesman (1949)

Willy Loman, the protagonist, is a salesman who believes in the American Dream but fails to achieve it. The play questions whether the dream is realistic for ordinary people. Willy’s obsession with being “well-liked” and successful leads to his tragic downfall.

IV. John Steinbeck — Of Mice and Men (1937)

George and Lennie, two migrant workers, dream of owning their own farm. Their dream represents hope in the face of poverty and injustice. The novel shows how economic and social barriers can destroy dreams.

V. Key Themes

The gap between the American Dream and reality.
Materialism and spiritual emptiness.
Social class and inequality.
The impossibility of escaping one’s past.
The loneliness of modern life.

VI. Exercises

1. Compare how Gatsby and Willy Loman pursue the American Dream.
2. Explain the symbolic meaning of the “green light” in The Great Gatsby.
3. Is the American Dream still relevant today? Discuss.

For more literature, see George Orwell and Shakespeare’s Tragedies.

English — Literature: The American Dream in Literature — Miller, Fitzgerald and Steinbeck — 3rd Year Secondary