Many literary works have as their theme the failed American dream, or the basic idea that, regardless of an individual's social class, they still have the same ability to achieve prosperity and a good life for their family; however, there has been much discussion about whether or not the American dream can be achieved in modern society. A piece of American literature that demonstrates the fact that the American Dream cannot be achieved is Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller, which describes the tragedy of the average person in America. Many other writers also highlight the failure to capture the American dream. John Steinbeck demonstrates in his acclaimed novel The Grapes of Wrath how difficult economic times can devastate the typical American family and its fight for the American dream. Similarly, Scott Fitzgerald shows Jay Gatsby's vain quest to achieve the American dream in The Great Gatsby. All authors express their opinion that achieving the American dream is not feasible. Arthur Miller also argues through his work Death of a Salesman that the American dream is an illusion not only for Willy Loman, but for almost everyone in America. Willy Loman, the tragic hero of Death of a Salesman succumbs to the rules of society and therefore cannot live the American dream. Susan Abbotson, professor of literature at Rhode Island College, writes in her analysis of Death of a Salesman from her book Critical Companion to Arthur Miller: “According to Miller, the blame for failure should not be placed on insignificant cogs in the social machine like the Lomans , but they should be partially attributed to the broader social forces that run people's lives. Economics plays an important role in creating......middle of paper......esman. 1st ed. New York: Crown Publishers, 1987.6. Print.Jacobson, Irving. "Family Dreams in the Death of a Salesman." Readings on Arthur Miller: Death of a Salesman. Ed. Tommaso Siebold. 1st ed. San Deigo: Greenhaven Press, Inc., 1999. 75. Print.Porter, Thomas. "Modern American Myth and Drama." Readings on Arthur Miller: Death of a Salesman. Ed. Tommaso Siebold. 1st ed. San Deigo: Greenhaven Press, Inc., 1997. 111-12. Print.Stanton, Kay. "Women and the American Dream of a Salesman's Death." Readings on ArthurMiller: Death of a Salesman. Ed. Tommaso Siebold. 1st ed. San Deigo: Greenhaven Press, Inc., 1999. 134-35. Print.Steinbeck, John . The grapes of wrath. New York: Penguin Classics, 2006. 74. Print.Weales, Gerald. "American drama since World War II." Readings on Arthur Miller. Ed. Thomas Siebold. 1st ed. San Deigo: Greenhaven Press, Inc., 1997. 78. Print.