Fitzgerald's American Dream

In the 1920’s, American citizens were pursuing their dreams. Between desires of wealth and fame, many of these aspirations are outlandish. In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald shows us the consequences of chasing these unique American dreams. Throughout the novel, Fitzgerald clearly communicates to the reader that people are failing to accomplish their dreams. The characters of Nick, Gatsby, Tom and Daisy all have ideas for a perfect life; however, none of them are able to obtain it. Fitzgerald shows the pursuit of the American dream as deceitful because it leads to poverty, depression, moral and social decay through highly unrealistic standards.

It’s hard to keep moving forward when your mind is so stuck in the past. The Great Gatsby is a story written by F.Scott Fitzgerald, the perspective of this book is written through the eyes of Nick, a middle class citizen that lives next to huge mansions, one of which belongs to a Mr. Jay Gatsby. After being invited to a party Nick becomes friends with Gatsby and he soon learns that Mr. Gatsby is actually in love with Nick's cousin, Daisy. The story continues with Nick observing how Gatsby goes about getting Daisy’s attention and how their relationship plays through. Throughout the story it is made clear that Jay Gatsby is hung up on the past that he once shared with Daisy, and it’s affecting life negatively because he

Wealth and power are drivers that turn the gears of American society. The constant struggle for these sought-after commodities has beneficial and harmful aspects. The American dream is perhaps one of the most influential ideas that acts as the bed rock for achievement and success. But new found or inherited wealth can be a blessing and a curse if not properly utilized. In society, class, popularity and power are all highly valued and actively pursued by many people. Without structure and support, a individual will lean on these values for happiness.

In The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the main theme is most directly related to the American Dream. The American Dream is based on the idea that any person, no matter who they are, can become successful in life by working hard. The Great Gatsby is about what happened to the American Dream during the 1920's, an era when the dream had been corrupted by the relentless pursuit of wealth. The pursuit of the American Dream is the ultimate cause of the downfall of the main character, Jay Gatsby.

It is evident that Fitzgerald admires the pursuit of the ‘American Dream’, for he uses beautiful imagery, “a fresh, green breast of the new world”, “trees that had made way for Gatsby’s house”, “a transitory enchanted moment man

Oftentimes society gets so caught up in achieving greatness that it is blinded to the obstacles of reality. The American Dream can sometimes be so unachievable yet so alluring that people cannot help but strive after it as if it were their destiny. Fitzgerald highlights this phenomenon in his novel The Great Gatsby through many characters and their pursuit of their own American Dreams. Fitzgerald uses figurative language and contrasting diction to show his cynical attitude about the pursuit of the American Dream and the blindness of those who believe in it.

-Throughout the novel, there is a constant reference to the “American Dream.” F. Scott Fitzgerald, even appears to mock the naivety and oblivion that comes with this false reality. Characters like Tom, Daisy, and Gatsby attempt to hold onto the idea of what a perfect and happy life is. They attempt to envision a better and brighter day. They attempt to “start over”, Tom with his mistress, Daisy with her affair with Gatsby, and Gatsby with his affair with Daisy. However, Fitzgerald proves that the notions of a “perfect” tomorrow are flawed, and he does so by having all of their lives (Tom, Daisy, and Gatsby) end with some type of tragedy.

Everyone has an ideal vision of what he or she wants out of life. In a perfect world, everyone would die happy having achieved every goal ever set. A perfect world does not exist. Fitzgerald knows this, and he chronicles the life of Gatsby. Gatsby deeply desires to live out the “American dream.” He wants fame, riches, parties, mansions, but most of all love. Gatsby succeeds in every area except the most important. Gatsby still feels a desire to fulfill his final dream of finding a true love. Not willing to settle for an arbitrary love, Gatsby sets his sights on a young woman named Daisy. The problem is that Gatsby can never have Daisy because she is already in a relationship with another man. Gatsby, still wanting Daisy’s love but

While driving Gatsby’s car Daisy hits and kills her husbands mistress. Gatsby takes the blame for the death of the woman, only to be shot by said woman’s husband. Living in the past leads you to nothing but tragedy. The past is a reoccurring theme throughout “The Great Gatsby,” and for most of the characters it only causes misery. At one point in the book Nick tells Gatsby “you can’t live in the

The “Roaring Twenties”, was the post-war and prohibition era that contributed to the aspirations of achieving the American Dream. In this time period, the nation's wealth doubled leading to the prosperity of the economy. Within this dream, wealth is seen as a solution to life’s struggles. Materialistic items such as money, an automobile, a big house, and nice clothes symbolize the American Dream. This allows the idea of the great American Dream to be perceived as corruption due to materialistic desires. The American Dream was the pursuit of happiness, discovery, and individualism, but declines into corruption focused on wealth and social values. F. Scott Fitzgerald uses the lower class character, George Wilson, to display the theme of the American Dream declining.

This tragic flaw shows the dangers that come along with repeating the past. Attempting to the repeat the past is detrimental and leads to more harm than good in the end. Throughout Fitzgerald’s novel, Gatsby is portrayed as a mysteriously lavish man who has everything and more in life. However, as the story progresses we learn that all of Gatsby’s doings are in hopes to have things go back to as they were with Daisy.

and lure of money pollute it. Gatsby is a noble man whose vision is fouled by

Fitzgerald’s success came along with the roaring 20s, also known as the Jazz age. His fame and fortune skyrocketed during this era with his first novel, This Side of Paradise being a hit. However, the lifestyle of the rich and famous during the Jazz age would prove to provide an insurmountable heartbreak. Fitzgerald claims that the Jazz Age “flattered him and gave him more money than he had dreamed of” (qtd. In “Broken Dreams” 42). With this new fame and money, he began living very recklessly. He threw extravagant parties and “rode on the roofs of taxi cabs and jumped into fountains... and got drunk at countless parties.” Fitzgerald said, “I had everything I wanted and knew I would never be so happy again.” (QUOTE). He finally had a taste of the glamor of the American Dream, and he absolutely loved it. However, this lifestyle was expensive, one that Fitzgerald, even with all his money could not afford. He lived so irresponsibly that he was often in debt. He wanted more of this lifestyle, but it was the lifestyle of the American Dream that eventually lead him away from the American Dream. He began chasing the American Dream just so he could

F. Scott Fitzgerald was one of the most influential writers of modern day society. He holds this title because he wrote about things that drive people's everyday life. He wrote in two different periods that were very significant in the social development of America. These two periods of time symbolized not only the generation that he was writing about, but it also speaks to the present day generation.

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, is a one of the best stories written during a chaotic period in our nation’s history, The Jazz Age. The Twenties were a time of social experiments, self-indulgence, and dissatisfaction for majority of Americans. Fitzgerald depicts all these characteristics throughout the novel with his interesting themes, settings, and characters. The most elaborate and symbolic character Fitzgerald presents to his readers is Jay Gatsby. Fitzgerald uses Gatsby as a vehicle to explore the idea of The American Dream, which was a key element in shaping American society and it’s citizens. Fitzgerald does not sugar-coat his definition of the