With each piece of literature observed throughout the entirety of the course, a general theme of ironic grotesqueness has prevailed. This theme has been present in every story, yet not always easily detectable. Being no exception, Death of a Salesman, The Great Gatsby, and There Will Be Blood have followed this theme. The three aforementioned pieces of literature feature protagonists who have a common endeavor. Each strive towards the “American Dream,” the acquisition of supposed happiness that is only attained through hard work and wealth. Willy Loman, Daisy Buchanan, and Daniel Plainview each experience grotesque dehumanization as a result of their journeys towards the American Dream. They are all focusing on a misconception, because their
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After working tirelessly for years, supporting his wife and two boys, Willy believes there ought to be some compensation for all his work. He wonders why he is not bringing home a lot of money, and refuses to stop working until he reaches his goal, to give his wife Linda the garden she wants**, to have enough money to help out his sons, and to end work with prosperity and respect. The constant work without making a substantial amount of money takes a toll on Willy, and he starts to deteriorate. Willy’s idea of the “American Dream” is to die a “death of a salesmen” where he is well liked by all his customers, so much that they to come to his funeral**, a death where the hard work has paid off. Willy’s misconception about the American Dream leads him to his dehumanization. He starts to forget things, crashes his car regularly**, and is not suitable to continue work at his company, for he is no longer selling anything or bringing in any new customers.** The reality of the situation is that there are many few who have the success that Willy and all other salesmen strive towards. ** His whole life, Willy focused on a goal, and made the mistake of assuming it would happen. Consequently, he was left with an idea of happiness that was unachievable, and dwindled to a point where he took his own …show more content…
She sacrifices her happiness and love for this life, this “Dream”. Jay Gatsby, the man Daisy loved before marrying Tom Buchanan, also strove towards the “American Dream”, and ended up equally unhappy. Daisy had the choice to wait around for Gatsby to return from war, but prioritized Tom’s accessibility and ensured wealth. Daisy’s general unhappiness with Tom and her life leads her to her retrograde and become dehumanized to the point of killing. Due to jealousy, Daisy takes the life of Myrtle, whom Tom is having an affair with. One night returning from New York City **. Daisy hitting Myrtle with the car exhibits how one person could seemingly have everything, be living the “American Dream”, and still be terribly unhappy. This dream does not provide what people hope it will, turning them into people they were not before, dehumanizing
After working tirelessly for years, supporting his wife and two boys, Willy believes there ought to be some compensation for all his work. He wonders why he is not bringing home a lot of money, and refuses to stop working until he reaches his goal, to give his wife Linda the garden she wants**, to have enough money to help out his sons, and to end work with prosperity and respect. The constant work without making a substantial amount of money takes a toll on Willy, and he starts to deteriorate. Willy’s idea of the “American Dream” is to die a “death of a salesmen” where he is well liked by all his customers, so much that they to come to his funeral**, a death where the hard work has paid off. Willy’s misconception about the American Dream leads him to his dehumanization. He starts to forget things, crashes his car regularly**, and is not suitable to continue work at his company, for he is no longer selling anything or bringing in any new customers.** The reality of the situation is that there are many few who have the success that Willy and all other salesmen strive towards. ** His whole life, Willy focused on a goal, and made the mistake of assuming it would happen. Consequently, he was left with an idea of happiness that was unachievable, and dwindled to a point where he took his own …show more content…
She sacrifices her happiness and love for this life, this “Dream”. Jay Gatsby, the man Daisy loved before marrying Tom Buchanan, also strove towards the “American Dream”, and ended up equally unhappy. Daisy had the choice to wait around for Gatsby to return from war, but prioritized Tom’s accessibility and ensured wealth. Daisy’s general unhappiness with Tom and her life leads her to her retrograde and become dehumanized to the point of killing. Due to jealousy, Daisy takes the life of Myrtle, whom Tom is having an affair with. One night returning from New York City **. Daisy hitting Myrtle with the car exhibits how one person could seemingly have everything, be living the “American Dream”, and still be terribly unhappy. This dream does not provide what people hope it will, turning them into people they were not before, dehumanizing