...Great Gatsby" by Scott.F. Fitzgerald, Jay Gatsby, the wealthy protagonist portrays the image of sophistication as well as the American Dream. His character helped display the idea that as a human being, we will constantly develop a greed for many different things, in belief that happiness will be achieved through it. Through the actions which Gatsby chose to take in pursuit for the American dream, readers were able to be see that materialism, and money cannot buy and achieve us happiness. This idea was also portrayed through Daisy Buchanan, a rich lady who is the center of Gatsby's dream. Jay Gatsby, was not always the rich and sophisticated man he was elucidated as in the novel. He had originally come from a family of "shiftless and unsuccessful farm people" from South Dakota. He had carried a strong hatred towards the poverty as shown through the attitude he carried towards his parents; he "had never really accepted them as his parents at all". From the poverty, he had developed the goal and aspiration in achieving the American Dream as he believed that he would be able to also attract Daisy Buchanan, the love of his life, as well as obtain the wealth and lifestyle he aspired to live with. Later on in the novel, this dream helped show that wealth does not necessarily bring happiness, as shown through Gatsby's actions and feelings. Jay Gatsby, or previously known as "Jay Gatz" had undergone a journey of reinventing himself to pursue his idea of the American Dream. His...
Words: 939 - Pages: 4
...The American Dream, fueled by ambition and hopes of success, can often be exposed as a nightmare in disguise. Set in the roaring twenties, F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby demonstrates such a point, criticizing the American Dream as well as the dishonest values of characters attempting to achieve this dream. When Nick Carraway moves to Long Island's West Egg, home to the newly rich, he is not expecting to get dragged into an atmosphere of depravity and deceit. Next door lives the elusive Jay Gatsby, a self-proclaimed Oxford man who throws extravagant parties at his mansion with the sole intention of reuniting with Daisy Buchanan, his lost love and true desire. The American Dream was traditionally the belief that anyone, regardless of background, has the opportunity to be happy and successful through hard work, yet as America evolved, the dream did too. The once virtuous ideal modernized into a plot for materialistic power. By the end of the novel, Fitzgerald is trying to project the idea that the American Dream is not only an unattainable ideal, but in addition, corrupts those who seek to obtain it. Firstly, Gatsby's unrealistic dream of Daisy is used to portray the unattainability of the American Dream. In Gatsby’s mind, Daisy is perfect in every aspect and the object of his greatest desire. He becomes so engrossed with the image of Daisy from his memories, that even she herself cannot fulfill his expectations: "There must have been moments even that afternoon when Daisy...
Words: 1030 - Pages: 5
...Gatsby In the book The Great Gatsby by some guy, the American Dream is depicted as something that can be either achieved or neglected by several characters of different age and personality. Through the novel readers can learn how hard it is to obtain this dream because at any given moment, individuals can be faced with obstacles and barriers. Despite the great amount of wealth that he inherited, Jay Gatsby never truly achieves his American Dream because his love for Daisy is never rekindled after he returns from war since Daisy is never able to fully let go of Tom and his money. First and foremost, Daisy’s love for Gatsby is never rekindled after he comes back from war. Jay Gatsby says that he embraced the war and it gave him a new life...
Words: 929 - Pages: 4
...The Deceit of The American Dream in The Great Gatsby Many strive for success through strenuous amounts of hard work and dedication. However, once this success is achieved, they are still unhappy. In the 1920s, the majority of people had one dream to achieve particularly the American Dream. In essence, the American Dream is the idea of anyone being able to achieve success if they put in a lot dedication and hard work. The novel The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a classic twentiethcentury story that revolves primarily around the theme of the American Dream. The characters of Tom and Daisy Buchanan, Jay Gatsby and Myrtle Wilson are prime examples of characters who represent this theme. The Great Gatsby gives a vivid peek into the lives of Americans who live the American Dream, and proves it to be rather a deceptive fallacy. This deceit results in the downfall of many characters within the novel as they try to obtain the unachievable goal of the American Dream. Tom and Daisy Buchanan represent what many lowerclass citizens in the U.S. strive to be: wealthy and highstatus socialites. This facade is what tricks many into thinking that the American Dream results in a greater and happier life. However, Tom and Daisy’s happiness only goes so far. Apart from being successful, this couple encounters many debacles both within and out of their marriage. Like many who live in East Egg, Tom came from a wealthy family and made sure he stayed that way...
Words: 1499 - Pages: 6
...Fitzgerald wrote the novel The Great Gatsby in 1922. This novel tells the story of Jay Gatsby in Nick Carraway point of view. Fitzgerald used the green light as a symbolism of dreams and hopes to show its significance in the novel. The green light is important in the novel, for it is used as the American Dream for Jay Gatsby. For example, the text states, “he stretched out his arms toward the dark water in a curious way, and, far as I was from him, I could have sworn he was trembling. Involuntarily I glanced seaward — and distinguished nothing except a single green light, minute and far away, that might have been the end of a dock. k. When I looked once more for Gatsby he had vanished, and I was alone again in the unquiet darkness.” In these quotes,...
Words: 666 - Pages: 3
...| The American Nightmare: Money's Hidden CurseThe American dream stands as a symbol for hope, prosperity, and happiness. But F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, examines the American dream from a different perspective, one that sheds light on those who contort these principles to their own selfish fantasies. Fitzgerald renders Jay Gatsby as a man who takes the Dream too far, and becomes unable to distinguish his false life of riches from reality. This 'unique' American novel describes how humanity's insatiable desires for wealth and power subvert the idyllic principles of the American vision. Jay Gatsby is the personification of limitless wealth and prestige, a shining beacon for the aspiring rich. Nick Carraway declares that there is "something glorious" about Gatsby, and that he is filled with "some heightened sensitivity to the promises of life"(8). It appears to mere mortals who are not blessed with riches, that Gatsby fulfills the American dream of achieving fame and fortune. But instead of being content with his greenbacks, Gatsby believes that he can replicate the "Platonic conception of himself" (89) and become the flawless god of wealth that he depicts. The American dream has many interpretations, but Gatsby latches onto the concept of wealth alone, failing to see that he can improve his character through hard work and toil as well. One understanding of the American dream, bettering oneself to achieve a higher social status, sadly spurs people like Gatsby to achieve...
Words: 1033 - Pages: 5
...In both The Great Gatsby and A Raisin in the Sun both the book's main theme is the “American Dream”, however the dream is different for the characters in the different books, which shows that are different aspects to the American Dream that people desire. In the Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby is already living the dream, but he still doesn't feel satisfied with his own life. Jay Gatsby lives a very extravagant lifestyle and owns the world,but yet he still wants more; what he wants is love. On the other hand the characters in A Raisin In The Sun are seeking after the dream. The characters in the book, specifically Walter Younger, who is chasing after the “American dream.” Walter already has love and family, but what he wants is power and money. A Raisin In The Sun depicts the lifestyle of a poor black family in southside Chicago during World War II. This was not a good time for people of color because this is a time that could be described as “separate but equal” which is...
Words: 1277 - Pages: 6
...When The American Dream Fails The American Dream can mean several different things for each individual person. Some people have small dreams while others have crazy dreams that may be hard to achieve. Many people believe that if they achieve their American Dream, they will have a feeling of complete happiness and fulfillment. In the novel, The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby, Daisy Buchanan, and Tom Buchanan’s dreams bring them pain because they are never satisfied with what they already have. Jay Gatsby is an exceptional example of the American Dream failing. At first, the novel makes Gatsby appear very snobby and glamorous. But then we realize he’s just a simple man who’s in love with a very unattainable girl. He bases all of his dreams and his whole life off of one person. He only pursued his career to win back Daisy’s love. Gatsby moves into a house in the West Egg across from Daisy’s House in the East Egg. Only so he can gaze at the green light of Daisy’s dock and imagine being with her. In a way, the green light symbolizes Gatsby’s hope of achieving his American Dream. Which is to be wealthy, live in an extremely nice home, and have Daisy for himself. He goes through so much just to be with her again, changing his whole life and even lying for her. Daisy was the one who ran over Myrtle but Gatsby took the blame because his love for Daisy was so strong and all he wanted was his American Dream. So he would do whatever was possible to attain it. This dream failed because you...
Words: 548 - Pages: 3
...The American Dream is not something that can be defined with possessions or lifestyle. The American Dream is part of a mindset that every single person in the world strives to achieve. However, all people have an individual dream that is their end goal that may manifest in cars, boats, houses, spouses, etc. In literary works throughout history the presence of the dream is displayed through a variety of different topics, ideas, and storylines, but all are based on the mindset of achieving it. The American Dream is a generalized term for every person’s goal in life and will not go away until it is reached. It is prominently portrayed in various modernist time period novels and poems. The modernist movement was a time of disillusionment, partying, and a desire to get back to the way things were. It was the roaring twenties and the economy was thriving. This time period was one of the most significant in American History and The American Dream was heavily prominent during this time period, shaping the way others view the dream for years to come. The Great Gatsby, a modernist novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald perfectly displays the modernist’s American Dream. Jay Gatsby, the billionaire playboy with everything money could buy was still trying to achieve his American Dream. It wasn’t a house or a car, it was a girl. In the beginning of the novel the main character Nick observes Gatsby out on the dock. “I could have sworn he was trembling...distinguished nothing except a single green light...
Words: 622 - Pages: 3
...The Great Gatsby, a novel by F.Scott Fitzgerald revolves around the main protagonist, Jay Gatsby, who comes from the Midwest and is striving toward the American Dream. The novel takes place in 1922, in which the American Dream brought reassurance to one due to the booming economy. At the beginning of the novel, all that one knows about Gatsby is through rumors since he is the center of every conversation; he is a mysterious character. For instance, some say that he is a German spy, an Oxford graduate, or a murderer. On the other hand, the narrator, Nick, argues that Gatsby is “great” despite the rumors that are going around. Within the novel, the reader begins to question whether Gatsby is truly “great” or not. But Gatsby is one of the characters who does not drastically change, instead, his motives push him harder to aspire to his goals that may seem unrealistic. Gatsby has a justification for every...
Words: 717 - Pages: 3
...In the past the American Dream was an inspiration to many, young and old. To live out the American Dream was what once was on the minds of many Americans, however soon afterward those same dreams were twisted with corruption. In The Great Gatsby, the American Dream was presented as a corrupted version of what used to be a pure and honest ideal way to live. The idea that the American Dream was about the wealth and the possessions one had been ingrained, somehow, into the minds of Americans during the 1920’s. As a result of the distortion of the American Dream, the characters of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel, The Great Gatsby along with many others, lived life fully believing in the American Dream, becoming completely immersed in it and in the end suffered great tragedies. Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman tells the story of the failure of a salesman, Willy Loman. Although not all Americans are salesmen, most of us share Willy’s dream of success. We are all partners in the American Dream and parties to the conspiracy of silence surrounding the fact that failures must outnumber successes. Miller amalgamates the archetypal tragic hero with the mundane American citizen. The result is the anti-hero, Willy Loman. He is a simple salesman who constantly aspires to become 'great'. Nevertheless, Willy has a waning career as a salesman and is an aging man who considers himself to be a failure but is incapable of consciously admitting it. As a result, the drama of the play lies not so...
Words: 593 - Pages: 3
...The roaring 20's brought an era of American greed and the complete stand still of moral developement. Morals became loser through prohibition. Many people stood for wealth and climbing the later of success. People believed in achieving wealth and social status through hard work. People in their time period made delicious on the the whim such as getitng involved in the stock market. Stocke market could led it major wins and major lossses. F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote a tragic tale full of obsessions, longing for social mobility, and the American Dream. Jay Gatsby has many unhealthy obsessions throughout the novel. But the most infamous obsession is his love for Daisy. Gatsby believes in a sick way that he is hers and she is his. It was love at first sight for him. Gatsby believes that they are practically married. In The Great...
Words: 1553 - Pages: 7
...“Life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement.” (Adams 214) The Modern Day American Dream- Has it Changed? The American Dream has long been the ideal that every American has an equal opportunity to achieve success and fortune through hard work, regardless of origin or ethnicity. In The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Gatsby story of success, primarily represented through his possessions such as his mansion, demonstrates how the American Dream during the 1920’s is similar to the American Dream of today because origin remains irrelevant and possessions represent success. The key component of the American Dream is that it is achievable regardless of origin, motives,...
Words: 872 - Pages: 4
...In the modern classic, The Great Gatsby (2013), director Baz Luhrmann depicts the notion of the American Dream through the utilisation of mise en scène. In the adaptation, Nick Carraway focuses on narrating Jay Gatsby’s life, predominantly emphasising the extent that Gatsby would go to in order to achieve his own American Dream. The American Dream refers to the dream lifestyle in which anything can happen in America, especially New York however Gatsby’s American Dream refers to his first love, Daisy Buchanan. The following scenes; Nick on Wall Street, The Queensboro Bridge and Gatsby at his pier successfully portray the key theme and consequently convey an embedded message intended for the audience. Nick Carraway standing out from the crowd...
Words: 448 - Pages: 2
...October 10th, 2012 The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald: A Reading Response The novel The Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald is a book that deals with the American Dream: an ideal presented in American literature where the dreamer rises to wealth, very present in the twenties. In this bestseller, Gatsby – the protagonist – embodies the evolution of one to greatness. Beginning his life as a simple, poor farmer’s boy. James Gatz, upon meeting the love of his life, Daisy Buchanan who is wealthy, decides to rise to success and fortune – and carries the name of Jay Gatsby, who “sprang from his Platonic conception of himself”(95). Through this process really achieves the American dream. In addition, Gatsby becomes great to the narrator and his close friend, Nick Carraway – however, the novel ends as a tragedy, and by having the great Gatsby shot dead. Through the use of the symbol of Daisy Buchanan as well as the significance of the title, The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald explores the idea of the American Dream and that it rarely equaled to absolute happiness. Daisy Buchanan symbolizes the failed attempt at finding ultimate happiness through money: ”For Daisy was young and her artificial world was redolent of orchids and pleasant, cheerful snobbery and orchestras which set the rhythm of the year, summing up the sadness and suggestiveness of life in new tunes” (143). Daisy is the cousin of Nick Carraway, but most importantly Gatsby’s love. Daisy and Gatsby had been romantically involved...
Words: 1259 - Pages: 6
