How are different versions of the American Dream portrayed in Of Mice and Men and The Great Gatsby?

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The novel ‘Of Mice and Men’ was written by John Steinbeck, this novel was written in 1937 in America. The novel ‘The Great Gatsby’ was written by F.Scott Fitzgerald this novel was written in 1925 in America. Both of these novels revolve around the belief of the American Dream that people had during the period of America, that these novels were written in. In the novel ‘Of Mice and Men’, the two central characters Lennie and George are itinerant workers who share an extraordinary friendship. They travel from town to town trying to accomplish their dream of having their own land by working hard, during the harsh depression time of 1930’s America. This was known as ‘The Great Depression’. Whereas, the other novel ‘The Great Gatsby’, the central character Gatsby’s and his desire is to pretend being from the upper class, in order to win the affection of his first love. Nonetheless, in both ‘Of Mice and Men’ and ‘The Great Gatsby, the American Dream is depicted as an unachievable dream as both novels ended with the death of their main characters. In ‘Of Mice and Men’ Lennie dies in the pursuit of his American Dream with George to own a ranch. In ‘The Great Gatsby’ Gatsby dies in the pursuit of his American Dream which was to win the affection of his first love. The American Dream is a difficult concept to describe because the dream is usually different for different people. Nevertheless, if we define the term ‘American Dream’ it is the uphold ideal that everyone has the right to ‘life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness’ as stated in the Declaration of Independence 1776. The American Dream is also known to be an improved social and financial status by hard working. The vision of the American Dream for Of Mice and Men for George an... ... middle of paper ... ... is hiding her true emotions and not satisfied with her life. Daisy’s dream is to continue living her nice wealthy lifestyle. This is because when Gatsby lets her drive his car, she killed Mrytle. However, she can’t acknowledge the fact that she killed Mrytle because she wants to carry on living her wealthy, nice life. Therefore, she abandons Gatsby and lets him take the blame and returns to her husband. Then she doesn’t have the decency to attend Gatsby’s funeral leaves. This shows that Daisy would do anything to carry on living her nice wealthy lifestyle. The characters George and Lennie from ‘Of Mice and Men’ and Gatsby from ‘The Great Gatsby’ have similar dreams, as their dreams are both crushed and they have many obstacles that prevent them from achieving their dream and one of the central characters die at the end in the pursuit of their dream in both novels.

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