The Way Towards Disillusion

Jack London and Arthur Miller are significant writers in American literary history living in the different times of America. Both of them have created many great works, and they have made great contributions to American literature.Jack London’s representative works Martin Eden is a novel, Arthur Miller’s works Death of a Salesman is a play, however, the two works indeed share some similar themes---loss of the American Dream, betrayal and the death. Thus, the thesis makes a comparative study from the perspective of the themes.As an essential part of American values, the American Dream is a traditional symbol of America and is respected by many Americans. Both Martin Eden and Willy Loman are fascinated by the Dream, pursuing success and happiness with persistence. Although they adopt different methods to fulfill their dream, they all end with disillusionment. In Martin Eden, Ruth Morse betrays Martin Eden, meanwhile, Martin Eden betrays Lizzie Connolly. Betrayal in Death of a Salesman also bears two meanings:Willy Loman’s betrayal to his wife, Linda and the betrayal between Willy and Biff. After suffering from loss of the American Dream and betrayals from those Martin Eden and Willy Loman love, both of them choose to commit suicide to end their lives.Meanwhile, because literary techniques are very essential to reveal the themes of works, thus, some literary techniques such as symbolism, characters’language maneuver and flashback of the two works are analyzed. Besides, in order to reveal the themes of the two works more easily, the interrelationship between the two writers and two works are studied.The aim of the thesis is to revoke people to realize the harm in the excessive pursuit of the American Dream, especially, the excessive pursuit of material aspect, to warn people of not indulging into the desires of the dream blindly.