Comparing The American Dream In The Great Gatsby And Everything I Never Told You

In a world where hard work is often glorified as the key to success, both The Great Gatsby and Everything I Never Told You peels back the facade to reveal a harsh reality: the American dream can be a treacherous path riddled with challenges and societal constraints. As these two literary works delve into the complexities of ambition and aspiration, they offer distinct perspectives on the elusive nature of success and the intricate dynamics that shape individuals' pursuit of the American dream. The Great Gatsby shows the devastating reality that hard work does not guarantee success. But Everything I Never told you better portrays the challenges of the American Dream because it depicts the societal constraints on a hard-working family. Even though

This quote presents a profound insight into the complex relationship between pursuing the American Dream and the vulnerability of happiness. It reflects the common belief that the American Dream promises a path to lasting happiness and fulfillment through the attainment of material success and social stability. In the context of the American Dream, this quote highlights the potential pitfalls and challenges that individuals may encounter along their journey. It implies that the pursuit of material wealth and societal expectations can overshadow the importance of emotional well-being and personal fulfillment. James and Marylin, as parents, have their own aspirations and expectations for Lydia, which are deeply rooted in societal ideals and the pursuit of material success. Their desire for Lydia to fulfill the American Dream, as defined by them, can be seen as an attempt to prioritize external markers of achievement and societal expectations over Lydia's emotional well-being and personal fulfillment. It suggests that James and Marylin's focus on external achievements and societal expectation lead to the fragile and easily shattered version of happiness for

Gatsby is different not because of his appearance but because of his background. The Lee’s difference is not only their background but their appearance as well. This quote is from when Lydia and Jack were talking in his car. “You and Nath, you're practically the only Chinese people in the whole of Middlewood” (192 Ng). This quote reflects the theme of racial and cultural identity within the context of the American Dream. It highlights Lydia and her Nath’s unique position as Chinese individuals in the predominantly non-Chinese community of Middlewood. The American Dream often celebrates diversity and inclusivity as foundational principles. However, the quote exposes the reality that marginalized communities, such as the Chinese population in Middlewood, can still experience a sense of otherness and lack representation within the larger society. The limited presence of Chinese individuals in Middlewood suggests a potential barrier to fully realizing the promises of the American Dream for these marginalized groups. As stated in this quote James is telling Marylin abouthow he feels about his differences. “You’ve never been in a room where no one else looked like you. Youve never had people mock you to your face. You’ve never been