PSYCHOLOGICAL DIMENSIONS OF THE AMERICAN DREAM IN THE WORKS OF F. SCOTT FITZGERALD AND ARTHUR MILLER

Аннотация

This article explores the psychological dimensions of the American Dream as represented in the literary works of F. Scott Fitzgerald and Arthur Miller. While the American Dream is commonly associated with economic success, social mobility, and personal achievement, its psychological implications have received considerable attention in literary studies. Through an analysis of Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby and Miller’s Death of a Salesman, the study investigates how the pursuit of idealized success influences individual identity, self-perception, emotional stability, and interpersonal relationships. The findings reveal that both authors portray the American Dream not merely as a social aspiration but as a psychological force that shapes human consciousness and behavior. The protagonists, Jay Gatsby and Willy Loman, become trapped by unrealistic expectations and self-created illusions, leading to frustration, alienation, and emotional collapse. The article argues that Fitzgerald and Miller use their characters to expose the psychological costs of pursuing unattainable ideals within a competitive society.