A Dissection of the American Dream in ‘The Great Gatsby’

In F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby," the American Dream is a big theme that runs through the story and the lives of the characters. Set in the Roaring Twenties, this book takes a hard look at the American Dream and shows how it's not all it's cracked up to be. By looking at Jay Gatsby, Daisy Buchanan, and Nick Carraway, Fitzgerald digs into the messy and tricky parts of the dream, showing that it's just an illusion and hides a lot of bad stuff.

Gatsby Chasing a Dream That's Not Real

Jay Gatsby, the main guy who's rich and mysterious, is like the poster boy for the American Dream. He started out as James Gatz, a poor kid from North Dakota, and turned himself into a rich guy. His rise from being broke to being loaded is like the classic American success story. But Gatsby's dream isn't just about money; it's also about his crazy love for Daisy Buchanan. For him, being rich and getting Daisy go hand in hand.

Gatsby's huge mansion, wild parties, and fancy lifestyle are all part of his plan to win Daisy over. He's trying to relive the past and get back the love they once had. So, his dream isn't just about getting rich; it's also about getting back something he lost. But the problem is, Daisy isn't the perfect person he thinks she is. This dream he has is impossible and it ends up ruining him, showing that the American Dream itself has big problems.

Daisy Buchanan: The Empty Prize

Daisy Buchanan is what Gatsby wants more than anything, but she's got a lot of flaws. She grew up rich and used to having everything handed to her, so she represents the shallow, materialistic upper class. Gatsby is smitten with her charm and looks, but deep down, she's pretty selfish and empty. Her voice is even described as "full of money," showing how closely she's tied to wealth.

Daisy can't decide between Gatsby and her husband, Tom Buchanan, which shows she doesn't really have strong morals or deep feelings. She's attracted to Gatsby's money and the thrill he brings, but in the end, she sticks with Tom because he offers safety and stability. Daisy's actions show the hollowness at the heart of the American Dream. Chasing money and status without real connections or integrity leads to moral decay.

Nick Carraway: The Watchful Narrator

Nick Carraway, who tells the story, gives us a look at the American Dream from the outside. He's both amazed and disgusted by the wealth and wild living he sees. At first, he's drawn to Gatsby's charm and the glamor of his parties. But as he gets to know more about Gatsby and the Buchanans, Nick becomes disillusioned with the corruption behind their world.

Nick's shift from admiration to disappointment mirrors the book's overall take on the American Dream. He sees that Gatsby's money comes from shady deals and that the Buchanans' wealth shields them from facing any real consequences. Nick's final judgment that the Buchanans are "careless people" who "smash up things and creatures and then retreat back into their money" highlights the moral bankruptcy of the rich.

The Fall of the American Dream

"The Great Gatsby" shows the American Dream as a flawed and unreachable goal. The book suggests that the promise of self-made success and happiness is just an illusion, built on greed and materialism. Gatsby’s sad end, Daisy’s lack of morals, and Nick’s disappointment all drive this point home.

But Fitzgerald isn’t totally down on the American Dream. He seems to admire Gatsby’s endless hope and belief in a better future. Nick’s thoughts about Gatsby’s "extraordinary gift for hope" and "romantic readiness" suggest that the dream itself might not be the problem. Instead, it's the corrupt and morally decayed society that has messed it up.

In the end, "The Great Gatsby" gives us a deep and complicated look at the American Dream. Through Gatsby, Daisy, and Nick, Fitzgerald criticizes the dream’s focus on money and the moral decay that comes with chasing it. The novel reminds us of the risks of putting all our hopes in a dream that’s impossible to achieve. It makes us think about what real success means and what chasing an impossible dream can cost us.

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