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The American Dream In The Great Gatsby And Of Mice And Men

Decent Essays
The American Dream is the belief that anyone, regardless of race, class, gender, or nationality, can be successful in America if they just work hard enough. The American Dream gave hope to all Americans that they have a chance to be successful despite their backgrounds. Although the American Dream inspired many, several people took a more negative view on it. Both F. Scott Fitzgerald and John Steinbeck criticize the American Dream in their novels: The Great Gatsby and Of Mice and Men. In these two novels, Gatsby and Lennie both have dreams they so desperately want to achieve. The green light on the end of Daisy’s dock is symbolic of Gatsby’s dream to repeat the past and be reunited with Daisy. On the other hand, Lennie has the dream to buy a patch of land with George where he can tend the rabbits. Although these dreams may seem harmless, Gatsby and Lennie made some big mistakes that led things to take a bad turn. By analyzing both Gatsby’s and Lennie's dreams, it will become obvious how the American Dream ultimately fails them. In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald introduces the character, Gatsby, to show how The American Dream failed him so devastatingly. Gatsby had the dream to be reunited with Daisy and repeat the past again. Daisy and Gatsby were once in love in October of 1917. Daisy was eighteen and Queen Bee of high society, while Gatsby was a young officer who was head-over-heels in love with her. However, Gatsby had to leave for war, leaving Daisy behind. Even
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