The American Dream In The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Great Gatsby, a novel written by F. Scott Fitzgerald challenges the perception of the American Dream. In “The Great Gatsby”, it explicates both the positive and negatives ideas of the American Dream that has been placed within society. This Dream can be described as a tradition held up by society that includes the opportunity for success and prosperity as well as riches. One of the main characters; Jay Gatsby, is living that dream. Within the story, the reader reads how the American Dream is an idea of failure, "Anything and everything seemed possible in the 1920's, keyword; seemed"(Bruccoli). Matthew J. Bruccoli believes that The American Dream is too much of an ideal image rather than a realistic lifestyle which caused the dream to die.
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For example in The Great Gatsby Thomas Payne argues that the American Dream is “sham”. Because such a social and financial status in that economy and today’s economy is just statistically unattainable. In reference to such we observe Wilson; His dream was to earn enough money to move away with his wife (Myrtle) and to start a new life, "I've been here too long. I want to get away. My wife and I want to go west"(Fitzgerald). He wanted a fresh start for himself and his wife. Wilson felt that his dream could have come true with Tom’s help, but what he fails realize is that Tom does not want to help him at all, "Very well, then, I won't sell you the car at all"(Fitzgerald). Tom was not interested in selling the car to Wilson because it would stop his affair with Myrtle and end his side piece happiness. Once Wilson's wife is killed his life and dream becomes senseless to him. Wilson wanted to live the American Dream but was stuck in the hopeless Valley of Ashes. Perhaps that Valley of Ashes was a symbol of Hell and what kept him from leaving was the eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg watching over them. Wilson believed that Dr. T. J. Eckleburg to be a symbol of God, "Now the eyes are …show more content…
There was a green light at the end of Daisy's Dock. The light represented the unattainable dream, “his dream must have seemed so close that he could barely fail to grasp it”(Fitzgerald). Daisy was his main desire because he was already living the American Dream. Gatsby just wanted to love again. His desire for Daisy is a reference to the past when he wanted to have her 5 years ago, "Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us…”(Fitzgerald). This shows how every time that Gatsby reached for that green light across the dock it reminded him of his love with Daisy. Alexandra Petri also argue how the finding of love is not easy. She refers to Gatsby’s green light daydreams as the average american trying to find happiness. Gatsby was able to see the light in plain sight but was unable to get to it. The green light also represents society’s desire for living the American
For example in The Great Gatsby Thomas Payne argues that the American Dream is “sham”. Because such a social and financial status in that economy and today’s economy is just statistically unattainable. In reference to such we observe Wilson; His dream was to earn enough money to move away with his wife (Myrtle) and to start a new life, "I've been here too long. I want to get away. My wife and I want to go west"(Fitzgerald). He wanted a fresh start for himself and his wife. Wilson felt that his dream could have come true with Tom’s help, but what he fails realize is that Tom does not want to help him at all, "Very well, then, I won't sell you the car at all"(Fitzgerald). Tom was not interested in selling the car to Wilson because it would stop his affair with Myrtle and end his side piece happiness. Once Wilson's wife is killed his life and dream becomes senseless to him. Wilson wanted to live the American Dream but was stuck in the hopeless Valley of Ashes. Perhaps that Valley of Ashes was a symbol of Hell and what kept him from leaving was the eyes of Dr. T. J. Eckleburg watching over them. Wilson believed that Dr. T. J. Eckleburg to be a symbol of God, "Now the eyes are …show more content…
There was a green light at the end of Daisy's Dock. The light represented the unattainable dream, “his dream must have seemed so close that he could barely fail to grasp it”(Fitzgerald). Daisy was his main desire because he was already living the American Dream. Gatsby just wanted to love again. His desire for Daisy is a reference to the past when he wanted to have her 5 years ago, "Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us…”(Fitzgerald). This shows how every time that Gatsby reached for that green light across the dock it reminded him of his love with Daisy. Alexandra Petri also argue how the finding of love is not easy. She refers to Gatsby’s green light daydreams as the average american trying to find happiness. Gatsby was able to see the light in plain sight but was unable to get to it. The green light also represents society’s desire for living the American