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Essay On The American Dream In The Great Gatsby

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Gatsby changed Nick’s mind on the American dream and what it really is.Nick’s original thoughts on the American dream “...become again that most limited of all specialists, the ‘well-rounded man.’”(Fitzgerald 6),were much like his families in the beginning.Later after the events in his time with Gatsby Nick sees the error of his ways and returns to the Midwest giving up on his bond market dream.”Gatsby was never in it for the money and this revelation eventually caused Nick to give up his quest for wealth in the bond market”(Nagel).It is Gatsby that shows Nick his error and this revelation that wealth isn't the goal he should be focused on. This shakes the core of his beliefs and all that his family would have taught him.This changes …show more content…

Tom Buchanan is the true American Dream.Tom exemplifies the American dream because of the simple fact that without any work he has managed to get to the elevated status that so many others are striving to achieve.This entitlement to riches makes him the true American Dream because he doesn't have to work when he has it all; the attitude and the riches.Others like Gatsby had to work for their wealth and that left them without a different attitude one that is certainly less entitled than Tom.”It's up to us who are the dominant race to watch out or these other races will ave control of things”(Fitzgerald 16).This quote shows how Tom thinks he is above all others and above them no matter what.Even those with as much wealth as him don't go up to his status if they made their money through working for it rather than getting it through their family. His family is one that thinks themselves better than others because they have money and a family name to fall back on.”I suppose the latest thing is to sit back and let Mr.Nobody from Nowhere make love to your wife”(Fitzgerald 138).This shows just how little Tom thinks of Gatsby because sure he's rich but he

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