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American Dream Meaning

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What is the American Dream? During the course of the time periods there have been many different opinions about what The American Dream is. The American Dream goes back to the Puritans and Quakers were they believed America should be spiritual and material happiness. Overtime it has evolved more and it’s about “dream of the land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for every man, with opportunity for each according to his ability or achievement”(O’Mara 2). The American Dream has an historical background, evolution period, and and time when The American Dream wasn’t equally experienced by everyone. The founding fathers created the Declaration of Independence in 1776 which gives you the opportunity to have life, …show more content…

An American author name F. Scott Fitzgerald capitalized on this new meaning with The Great Gatsby. The book focus Tom and Daisy Buchanan, Gatsby, Nick Carraway, and Jordan Baker. “If you work hard and play by the rules you will get ahead”(Brodwin 2). This don't apply to them because they don't follow the rules and they either inherited their money, living off someone else, or doing illegal things. Fitzgerald uses the valley of ashes to represent America's obsession with wealth and pleasing themselves. The book relates The American Dream by creating a rags-to-riches story for Gatsby. Gatsby dream for his life is still very much alive after he achieved his goal of being rich he wants more he can never have enough. America give you the opportunity to achieve your goals you just have to take the opportunity. “Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgiastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that's no matter- tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms…. And one fine morning – so we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” The green light represented The American Dream and Gatsby dream. The light gave Gatsby hope to be with Daisy but they can't escape the struggle of turning dreams into reality and The American Dream because America is perceived as having limited opportunity. Gatsby tries to recreate the past with Daisy but Daisy it not the same as she once was which cause Gatsby to push her more and more. Fitzgerald see The American Dream can never be satisfied because Gatsby wanted more than he already

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