The American dream is an ethic idealized by millions of people. It's an attitude and mindset that can promote lifelong success and prosperity. When it comes to the American dream, a significant part is the pursuit of money. As shown in classic American literature such as The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald and A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams, the influence of money plays an important role in both novels. There are characters in both books who use money as a way to represent their morals and values. The decline of the American dream is evident in both novels considering the negative effects money has on some characters. The American dream still lives today in society where people strive to reach the top and achieve their goals in life. James Truslow Adams coined the term in 1931 in his book entitled “American Dream”. He stated in the book “life should be better, richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunities for each based on ability or achievement.” The importance of this quote in Adams' novel is that the American dream can be achieved by anyone (Warshauer 3). There are no limits and limits to these emotions and people of any social class can pursue their dreams and desires in life. Over the years the definition of the American Dream has changed, but the fundamental underlying meaning has remained the same. The American mentality is basically participation in the economy and society to achieve a better social standard and be prosperous. The United States Declaration of Independence also had some influence in defining the American dream. The Declaration of Independence states that all men are "endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights" including... middle of paper... American Dream. The unemployment rate in the United States increased by 25% during the Depression and jobs were in short supply (VanGiezen 7). The Great Depression began in 1929 and lasted until the early 1940s (McElvaine 1). The same time frame represented the publication of both The Great Gatsby and A Streetcar Named Desire. The American Dream has been an emotion and mindset in people that has lasted for hundreds of years. Success and prosperity are two things that everyone aspires to in order to live life to the fullest. The Great Gatsby and A Streetcar Named Desire both describe the decline of the American dream. When it comes to prosperity and money it is essential to follow your own morals and values. Jay Gatsby and Blanche DuBois are two characters in each of the novels who are hurt by money and power and ultimately both characters are forced to have unfortunate endings.