The Death of the American Dreams

Ralph Waldo Emerson once remarked, “You become what you think about all day long,” and in the case of James Gatz from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, this statement holds true. James Gatz spent his days consumed by the notion of achieving the American Dream—becoming a wealthy, successful man. From his imagination and ambition, a new identity emerged: Jay Gatsby. Just as Gatsby pursued Daisy Buchanan's affection, his true love was not a person but the wealth and status that Daisy symbolized.

Through examining James’ aspirations, his past, and Gatsby's relentless pursuit of Daisy, it becomes evident that Jay Gatsby is a persona created by James Gatz, and Daisy is merely a pawn in this elaborate narrative. However, James Gatz's immersion into the role of Gatsby led to his tragic demise, illustrating the dangers of losing oneself in the pursuit of an unattainable dream.

The Transformation of James Gatz

James Gatz grew up on a modest farm in North Dakota, yet he transformed into the enigmatic and affluent Jay Gatsby of West Egg, New York. This transformation was fueled by his relentless pursuit of the American Dream, a concept that, during the 1920s, became a national ethos driving countless Americans to seek prosperity and success. However, the version of the American Dream depicted in The Great Gatsby is distorted, turning into a selfish quest for pleasure and materialism. James Gatz's desire to be among the elite is apparent from his meticulous schedule as a child, which included an hour each day dedicated to "elocution, poise, and how to obtain it." Such aspirations would be unusual for a farm boy from North Dakota unless he harbored dreams of mingling with the affluent. This yearning gave birth to the Jay Gatsby persona—a rich, mysterious party-giver with an enigmatic past.

Daisy Buchanan: The Embodiment of the Dream

When James Gatz first encountered Daisy Buchanan, he perceived her as the embodiment of the American Dream. She possessed everything he aspired to have—wealth, beauty, and status. In Gatsby's mind, winning Daisy's affection equated to achieving happiness and fulfillment. His infatuation with Daisy evolved from a mere desire for her lifestyle to an all-consuming obsession. Yet, upon rekindling their relationship, Gatsby experienced a moment of realization: he had already attained the prosperous life he sought, rendering Daisy unnecessary. His love for her was superficial, rooted in his yearning for wealth, while Daisy's affection for Gatsby, despite his financial ups and downs, was genuine. This love dynamic highlights the warped perceptions and expectations both characters held, ultimately leading to their disillusionment.

The Journey versus the Destination

The pursuit of love often proves more exhilarating than its attainment. For Gatsby, Daisy represented the personification of the American Dream, and the chase for her love provided his life with purpose. Although Gatsby achieved wealth and status, he remained fixated on Daisy, blind to the realization that he had already become the man he once aspired to be. His obsession with Daisy overshadowed his achievements, demonstrating the notion that the journey itself holds more significance than the destination. James Gatz's entanglement with the Gatsby persona and his infatuation with Daisy ultimately cost him his life. As Fitzgerald eloquently concludes, “Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter—tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther… And one fine morning—So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” Gatsby's relentless pursuit of an unattainable future led to his downfall, serving as a cautionary tale for those blinded by ambition.

The Elusive Nature of Love and Dreams

Love can be a clear path for some, illuminated by guiding lights, while for others, it remains a series of dimly lit roads leading nowhere. The poem "Against Illuminations" captures the idea that love requires illumination to be discovered. Phrases such as "the thin jet under the window shade" and "the match flame squinting at the dark" symbolize the light necessary to uncover love. In Gatsby's case, the only guiding light was the green light on Daisy's dock—an unreachable symbol of both his love and the American Dream. James Gatz's true affection lay with his dream, while the character of Gatsby loved Daisy. This unattainable light, much like the American Dream, remained forever out of reach.

In conclusion, the destination after a long journey often proves anticlimactic. For many during the 1920s, the American Dream equated to acquiring wealth, cars, and alcohol—a superficial pursuit that ultimately led to dissatisfaction. The Great Gatsby illustrates the perils of losing oneself in a dream, as James Gatz did in his transformation into Jay Gatsby. While Gatsby's pursuit of love and prosperity is a testament to human ambition, it also serves as a poignant reminder that the journey, rather than the destination, often holds the most value. By understanding the fleeting nature of dreams and the illusions they create, individuals can learn to appreciate the present and find fulfillment beyond mere material wealth.

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