American Dream: Myth or Reality

Success beckons dreamers toward America's promise of opportunity. However, as Azar Nafisi wisely noted, "The negative side of the American Dream comes when people pursue success at any cost, which in turn destroys the vision and the dream." This sentiment is echoed in John Steinbeck's essay "Paradox and Dream," where he explores the paradoxical nature of American life and the elusive satisfaction that many seek. Similarly, in F. Scott Fitzgerald's *The Great Gatsby*, the narrator Nick Carraway observes the lengths to which Jay Gatsby goes in his futile pursuit of an idealized past and lost love.

Both Steinbeck and Fitzgerald highlight the inherent dissatisfaction that accompanies the pursuit of the American Dream, suggesting that it is ultimately an illusion.

The American Dream is often perceived as a noble pursuit, a promise of prosperity and success achieved through hard work and determination. However, this vision is frequently corrupted by materialism and moral decay. Gatsby's dream, though seemingly pure, is tainted by the corrupt world around him, ultimately leading to his tragic demise. The paradox of the American Dream, as Steinbeck describes, is that while Americans strive for purity and integrity, they often contradict these values through their actions. He writes, "We proudly insist that we base our political positions on the issues and we will vote against a man because of his religion, his name, or the shape of his nose." This highlights the hypocrisy and prejudice that undermine the idealistic vision of the American Dream.

The American Dream, then, becomes a mirage—a goal that seems attainable but remains forever out of reach. Steinbeck illustrates this point by describing how individuals cling to the American way of life, even when it fails them. He notes, "A man hungry and unemployed through his own stupidity and that of others, a man beaten by a brutal policeman, a woman forced into prostitution by her own laziness, high prices, availability, and despair—all bow with reverence toward the American Way of Life." This reverence, despite adversity and failure, underscores the deep-seated belief in the American Dream, even as it leads to disillusionment and despair.

In *The Great Gatsby*, Fitzgerald explores the transformation of the American Dream in the 1920s from a pursuit of a fulfilling life to an obsession with wealth and status. This shift is exemplified by Gatsby's extravagant lifestyle, which he believes will win him the love of Daisy Buchanan. The novel reveals the hollowness of this dream, as Gatsby's parties and riches ultimately fail to bring him true happiness or fulfillment. Nick Carraway observes, "It was when curiosity about Gatsby was at its highest that the lights in his house failed to go on one Saturday night—and, as obscurely as it had begun, his career as Trimalchio was over." This passage not only alludes to the fleeting nature of Gatsby's success but also draws a parallel to the character Trimalchio, whose ostentatious rise to wealth ends in failure.

Fitzgerald further critiques the American Dream through the character of George Wilson, who laments the moral decay around him. When Wilson tells Michaelis, "She might fool me but she couldn't fool God," he acknowledges the lengths to which individuals like Myrtle, Tom, and Gatsby will go in their pursuit of wealth and satisfaction. The eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg, which Wilson believes to be the eyes of God, serve as a haunting reminder of the moral decay and corruption that pervade the pursuit of the American Dream.

The relentless pursuit of the American Dream often leads to dissatisfaction, as individuals are never truly content with what they have. In *The Great Gatsby*, Tom Buchanan embodies this perpetual dissatisfaction. Despite his wealth, marriage to Daisy, and family, Tom is never satisfied. Nick remarks, "I had no sight into Daisy’s heart, but I felt that Tom would drift on forever seeking, a little wistfully, for the dramatic turbulence of some irrecoverable football game." Tom's dissatisfaction stems from a thwarted football career and manifests in his affair with Myrtle Wilson, revealing his inability to find fulfillment.

Steinbeck adds to this theme by observing, "The result is that we seem to be in a state of turmoil all the time, both physically and mentally." This constant state of unrest reflects the relentless pursuit of the American Dream, which ultimately leads to physical and mental deterioration. The cycle of dissatisfaction is unending, as individuals continually strive for an unattainable ideal.

Despite the pervasive disillusionment, there remains a glimmer of hope that the American Dream can be realized. Steinbeck acknowledges, "These dreams describe our vague yearnings toward what we wish were and hope we may be: wise, just, compassionate, and noble. The fact that we have this dream at all is perhaps an indication of its possibility." This suggests that the mere existence of the dream reflects the potential for its realization. Fitzgerald echoes this sentiment through Gatsby's tenacious pursuit, as Nick reflects, "He had come a long way to this blue lawn." Although Gatsby ultimately fails, his courage in chasing his dream is undeniable.

In conclusion, while the American Dream offers the promise of success and fulfillment, it often results in disillusionment and dissatisfaction. As depicted in Steinbeck's "Paradox and Dream" and Fitzgerald's *The Great Gatsby*, the relentless pursuit of this dream can lead to moral decay and unfulfilled desires. The American Dream, though an alluring vision, is ultimately an illusion that reflects the complexities and contradictions of human nature. Satisfaction remains elusive, and perhaps the true value lies not in achieving the dream but in the journey itself.

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