A discussion of the american dream as represented in "American Beauty" and "The Great Gatsby"

The American Dream in American Beauty The concept of a blanket American Dream to suit all people is exposed as wrong in Mendes's American Beauty. By building a conformist community where the perception as opposed to actual happiness is chased, is a key theme in the film. The director uses characterisation to explore the effect the American Dream has had on the three central characters. Mendes challenges the credibility of such a blanket dream, and …

…gift for hope", however he is blinded by the illusions that stand between him and happiness. Gatsby perceives Daisy to be his happiness, but Daisy is not. Fitzgerald uses characterization and one stupendously apathetic scene to establish Daisy as a flaky, superficial and feeble character. She is obsessed by money and status, which is reflected when she weeps as she hugs Gatsby's shirts. The shirts symbolise wealth, and this is what Daisy loves and needs.