What are some ideas for a compare and contrast essay on the American dream in the short stories the great gatsby and Death of a salesman

First of all, The Great Gatsby is a
novel, and Death of a Salesman is a full-length drama.  Neither one
is a short story. 

For a compare and contrast essay, you
might try the following:

• Compare the corruption
  of the American Dream in both works


• Contrast the
  differences in the ways the two protagonists attempt to achieve the American
  Dream


• Compare or contrast the illusions the protagonists
  are under, depending on whether you find them similar or
  different


• Ditto the ways in which the pursuit of the
  American Dream leads to tragedy


• Contrast the motivation
  each protagonist has for pursuing the American
  Dream