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American Dream In The Great Gatsby And Richard Cory

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Throughout the novel, The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and the poem, “Richard Cory” by Edwin Arlington Robinson, both authors are in fact pointing out; don't judge someone for how they look or what they posses, because no one knows what they feel inside and what they are living. In The Great Gatsby, there are many characters whom live the American Dream, but only one best fits with the theme and that is Jay Gatsby.
As the final lines of the poem get closer, it becomes more clear that the author's point is; Luxury does not fulfill someone's life. The people in town see Richard Cory with all his luxuries and wish to be in his place, “In fine, we thought that he was everything/ To make us wish that we were in his place” (Robinson 11-12). When someone has more …show more content…

Nevertheless, Gatsby is discontent and is till trying to reach for something in his life, “he stretched out his arms towards the dark water in a curious way, and far as I was from him I could have sworn he was trembling” (Fitzgerald 25-26). When a person is trembling, it is a physical representation of gloominess in the heart. Gatsby is trembling because he is reaching for Daisy, a person he misses even though he had all the luxury in the world. Afterwards, Gatsby finally reunites with Daisy and feels the joyfulness he has been missing, “He literally glowed; without a word or a gesture of exultation a new being radiated from him and filled the little room” (Fitzgerald 94). Nick Carraway hasn't been friends with Gatsby for a long time, but he still observes how much more alive Gatsby appears besides Daisy. Gatsby is reborn after meeting his Daisy again, feeling whole and more thrilled than he ever was with him castle. Both Gatsby and Cory are men who live the American Dream, however they also live without

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