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Comparing The American Dream In The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald

572 Words3 Pages

Chris Gardner is the perfect example of the humble American dream; a classic rags-to-riches story that inspires many to try and create a similar reality. He knew the harsh realities of the world and embraced them on his journey. He lived his American dream for his son. Which is contrasting to Gatsby‘s American dream in which he was living to get someone, as opposed to Gardner’s view of living for someone. Gatsby might seem like a perfect, personified version of the materialistic side of a dream. He was dripping in wealth that some could not even dream of; however, his dream really did go much deeper. All of the materialistic parts of the dream were just in pursuit of the one thing that he really wanted: Daisy. The development of Gatsby's character …show more content…

This is due to the fact that humans can never be truly satisfied. He had the model life of outsiders, plenty of money to make any man content, perfect social standing, and everything seemed to just fall into Gatsby’s grasp—everything except Daisy, however. Gatsby was obsessed with what he could not have. At the beginning of the story, although he seems to have everything, he is truly only living for one reason: the chance to have a life with Daisy. This motivates his every action. The lavish parties thrown each weekend have only one goal: the chance that he might see Daisy. His dream, however, seems to spiral when he finally starts to get everything he seems to have wanted. Gatsby’s first introduction to the reader was his hand, reaching out toward Daisy’s house; a life that was just out of his grasp. However, when Gatsby finally spends time with Daisy and realizes that she is not everything he dreamed her up to be, his dream begins to falter, and Daisy becomes less valuable in Gatsby‘s eyes. Daisy cannot ultimately be Gatsby's dream anymore because she is attainable, and to Gatsby, the “American Dream” is one he will never attain. “There must have been moments even that afternoon when Daisy

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