Discuss the theme of the American Dream in Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby and Miller's Death of Salesman?

Jay and Willy are linked in that both of them envision
dreams that are not rooted in anything substantive.  In the end, both protagonists end
up becoming crushed by the weight of their own dreams.  In both dreams, the role of
money is overwhelming.  Both Gatsby and Loman believe that the more acquisition of money
or material wealth, the closer they will be to establishing their dreams and finding
happiness.  What both fail to recognize is that there is a particular hollowness that
exists at the center of both sets of pursuit.  Willy wants to be something that is not
"a zero" and equates this with money.  Gatsby's pursuit of Daisy and a life where he is
"something" comes with the trappings of wealth.  In both pursuits, the American Dream is
perceived as one that ends up suffocating both because the definition of success and
happiness is linked to an external end such as money or social standing.  In both
dreams, the lack of an emotionally substantive end results in the protagonists'
undoing.  Finally, both protagonists operate in a social order that fails to fully
appreciate or validate the experiences of both characters, contributing to their belief
that an external end such as money or wealth is the only way to find some type of
salvation.  In both, this vision is denied.