American Dreams : The American Dream

The absolute understanding of the “American dream” is lost by the characters in The Great Gatsby, and by this Fitzgerald illustrates that there is no need for a dream like this. It is a dream with the same name, but with a stark contrast. True happiness is not guaranteed by having a

       In F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby, the principle character, Jay Gatsby makes an exhaustive effort in his quest for the American Dream. The novel is Fitzgerald's vessel of commentary and criticism of the American Dream. “Fitzgerald defines this Dream, he depicts its’ beauty and irresistible lure”(Bewley 113). Through Gatsby's downfall, Fitzgerald expresses the futility and agony of the pursuit of the dream.

Dreams are a compelling force in people’s lives. They are what propel them forward each and every day in an effort to reach something better. The American Dream has been sought after by millions all over the world for hundreds of years. This country was founded on the belief that anyone could achieve their dreams. However, in the 1920s these hopes and aspirations began to splinter until they ultimately shattered. In the novel, The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald uses symbolism, setting, and theme to depict the unattainability of the American Dream.

The American Dream was the vision that brought many people to America to start a new life in a strange and foreign land. This vision or dream is a common discussion topic by modern writers such as F. Scott Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby follows a cast of characters living in the fictional town of West Egg on Long Island in the summer of 1922. On the surface, it seems that the novel is a story of the thwarted love between a man and a woman, but the masterpiece major theme is about the American dream. The author writes about a man who takes the dream too far and becomes unable to distinguish his false life of riches from reality.

The "American Dream" is an idea that has always been different throughouttime. It changes in diverse forms and in the end involves success. The "American Dream" was a phrase used by the American people and peoplewanting to become American. It was always the idea that you can become a success. This is true in a partial way, but the true "American Dream" is that with somework and determination anyone can build themselves up in the economic classsystem.

encountered by members of every level of society; however, most of all affected by this idealism

American Dream: Noun, the ideals of freedom, equality, and opportunity traditionally held to be available to every American. That is the definition of the American dream according to Dictionary.com, but the American Dream is more than a definition, but a way of life for many. Millions of immigrants come to our country in search of this “American Dream” including my grandparents but more and more are disappointed. So does the American Dream exist? Has it ever existed or has it all been an illusion?

American poet Archibald Macleish once stated, “There are those who will say that the liberation of humanity, the freedom of man and mind is nothing but a dream. They are right. It is the American Dream.”  The concept of the American dream is the potential for hard-working individuals to prosper and conquer one's goal where they weren’t able to in other places. The novel, “The Great Gatsby” by Scott Fitzgerald and the short story, “Negocios by Junot Diaz refer to characters that are dedicated to overcoming poverty and achieving what they believed was the American dream. The main characters in each text, Papi and Gatsby are making their life’s mission to better themselves for love and affluence. Both characters are allied in the idea that they are trying to pursue the American dream, but while Gatsby personifies this desire through Daisy and wealth, Papi epitomizes the aspiration of economic stability by coming to the United States.

The American dream can be defined as the promise of living in America with opportunities for all, regardless of social class, and according to their ability and effort (Schnell, 2010). Proponents of the American dream believe that there is equal opportunity for all in the American society to achieve success. Success is not pegged on social status, race, or creed, but rather on an individual’s own efforts. The definition of the American dream has unique interpretations to different people. The most common meaning is that of a life of abundance and prosperity, characterized by economic rewards that enable one to live a middle class life of comfort. Here, success is measured by material possessions such as beautiful homes, cars, a high

From the early stages of American literature the dream of success has always been around, even at the very beginning. It has gone on the journey of merely surviving in small amounts of the literature from the native people to thriving in a growing society and being in everything. The dream to myself is becoming wealthy and being successful in everything I do. Today I believe that the dream has become different for everyone, every person has a different dream, a different way they want their life to go.

The American Dream is a concept that is essentially older than the United States, dating back to the seventeenth century. It was then when people began to come up with hopes and aspirations for the newly discovered, unexplored continent. The “American Dream” is in essence the idea in that puts forward the notion that all people can succeed through hard work, that all people have the right to the pursuit of happiness, and be successful. The definition of the American Dream has been expanded upon and redefined over time. The concept of the American Dream has always been debated and put under criticism. There are many that believe the structure of American Society belies the idealistic goal of the American Dream. It points out examples of

Americans have been dreaming since the Mayflower arrived in the New World and the American Dream itself has withstood threats up until this very day to all of its internal characteristics: international peace, health, leadership, wealth, supremacy, and equality. H.W. Brands states in his book American Dreams that “Americans had dreamed since our national birth, and in the twenty-first century we are dreaming still”. Both Brands’ story and Nathaniel Philbrick’s account in Mayflower assist significantly in proving that the American Dream has survived into the twenty-first century. As America is met with different governments, world wars, international conflict, both economic success and failure, and shifts in leadership, the American Dream stays alive through it all. The ideals of this dream evolve with the world and adapt to different cultural, political, and economic changes. Mayflower recounts the beginnings of new settlements on the east coast of America that would change the world and American Dreams tells the story of America after World War II and right up until 2010.

Throughout life everybody has heard the line “Follow your dreams!” This simple sentence has inspired many. This idea of creating a dream and chasing it has inspired the American Dream. The American Dream is different for everybody. It could be getting married, creating a business, or being a hero. It turns out the American Dream is not for everybody. There is always something standing in the way of the American Dream. Race, social status, and the individual are standing in the way between the person and the American Dream.

There is freedom in owning a home. A homeowner is free to decorate, remodel, and express themselves in their home. Pets, smoking, and petty vandalism are all are choices that a homeowner can make whereas a rental these choices would be severely restricted. Homeownership is a staple of stability. It represents the principles associated with the “American Dream.” It represents family, hard work, and a contented lifestyle. And in a generation where everyone wants to become famous a little stability may be just what is needed. A home will build a buyer’s equity further providing options for their future and establishing a sound investment. Buying a home is a milestone that can symbolize the final step into adulthood. However, it also represents a final farewell to the final fragments of childhood. But why shouldn’t a generation be allowed to dream? Do we have to reach a point in life where practicality becomes king? Dreamers propel the world forward and stability may end up being the worst thing for the future. Some of the world’s greatest inventions have come about during times of chaos and uncertainty. Ingenuity is fueled by necessity and I think an atmosphere that feeds creativity can’t be a completely terrible.

“Outside the evening was still warm, and the Bradfords were walking arm in arm. As he watched the couple the room went dark, and he spun around. Shoba had turned the lights off. She came back to the table and sat down, and after a moment Shukumar joined her. They wept together, for the things they now knew.” (Pg.22)