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Why Is The American Dream Important In The Great Gatsby

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The American Dream: Why the American Dream is A Dream The American dream is solely based upon the hard work to achieve prosperity, success, and the upward movement in social class. Everyone's American dream is specific to personally set goals. While reading the book The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, there are many examples that symbolize the American dream. Two main details from The Great Gatsby will focus on Gatsby's hopes and dreams, as well as, obsession with wealth. F. Scott Fitzgerald has a very illusory message pinned on the American dream. He feels that the American dream can drive a man to do extraordinary and unethical things. “Convictions are more dangerous enemies of truth than lies” (Friedrich Nietzsche). People will chase a better tomorrow that is always just a tad out of reach. In The Great Gatsby, Jay Gatsby does many ludicrous and unethical things to achieve the American Dream. Gatsby throws extravagant parties every weekend in hopes that Daisy Buchanan will show up amongst the large crowed. "Gatsby bought that house so that Daisy would be just across the bay" (Fitzgerald 147). …show more content…
An introduction to The American dream would be the green light located in East Egg at the end of Daisy Buchanan's dock that reaches off her property. The green light, in turn, represents Daisy Buchanan in Gatsby's eyes. Daisy is a part of Gatsby's American dream. “…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…” (Fitzgerald 67). In the book, the light is described as “minute and far away,” which makes is appear to be impossible to reach; later in the novel, this proves to be true to Gatsby and his inability to fully pursue and lock Daisy

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