Many literary works have as their theme the failure of the American dream, which is based on the basic idea that regardless of an individual's social class , he still has the same ability to achieve prosperity. and a good life for their family; However, there have been many debates about whether the American dream is still achievable in modern society. A piece of American literature that justifies 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. A number of other writers also point out the failure to capture the American dream. John Steinbeck demonstrates in his highly acclaimed novel The Grapes of Wrath how tough economic times can devastate the typical American family and its struggle for the American dream. Similarly, Scott Fitzgerald exposes Jay Gatsby's futile attempt to achieve the American dream in The Great Gatsby. All the authors illustrate their opinion that achieving the American dream is not achievable. Arthur Miller further states, through his play 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 society's rules and, as a result, 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: "In Miller's view, the fault for the failure should not be attributed to insignificant cogs in the social machine like Lomans, but should be partially attributed to the broader social forces that govern 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. Thomas 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. Thomas 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. Thomas 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.