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The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald

Decent Essays

The American Dream is the pursuit of success as a result of hard work and determination. In the novel, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Jay Gatsby and Nick Carraway try to achieve The American Dream, Gatsby yearns to rekindle his relationship with Daisy Buchanan and Nick wants to become rich by working in bonds. Gatsby’s dream is represented by a green light at the end of Daisy’s deck which motivates him to pursue his dream. Though Gatsby tried to make his dream a reality, the novel ends with his tragic death. Gatsby’s pursuit highlights that The American Dream is unattainable and demonstrates the flaws that accompany the dream. Gatsby’s unsuccessful pursuit illustrates the illusions and reality should be separated to ensure that …show more content…

This confusion causes Gatsby to overlook many important details that would have saved him the immense sorrow he experiences when he no longer sees the green light at the end of Daisy’s deck. Gatsby obtained his wealth through the illegal booming business of bootlegging; however, Gatsby does not disclose this information to anyone. Instead, everyone believes that “he was once an oxford man” (49) and worked his way up from there. Maintaining this persona causes Gatsby to be less perceptive to what is going on around him. For example, before Daisy visits Nick’s house, Nick says a man “tapped at my front door and said that Mr. Gatsby had sent him over to cut my grass” (83). Gatsby is so nervous ensuring everything is perfect and that his wealth is properly displayed that he fails to get a real sense of Daisy’s emotions towards him. Gatsby continues to think that his dream is attainable even though there are signs in front of him that plead otherwise. Gatsby not only has an illusion for himself, for but daisy as well. Over the five years Gatsby has spent trying to meet Daisy, he idolizes her. As a result, he has exceptionally high standards for her and believes that she is absolutely flawless and the epitome of perfection. Nick expresses his concern that daisy may not live up to his standards as he says “there must have been moments even that afternoon when Daisy tumbled short of his dreams” (95). Gatsby is unable to see past the picture he has manifested in his

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