Disillusionment In The Great Gatsby

In “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald, abstract ideas and dreams are what ultimately cause destruction. After Myrtle, George and Gatsby die, Nick remarks that “the holocaust was complete” (Fitzgerald 162). By definition, this implies that these three characters, in Nick’s eyes, have something in common. This shared characteristic may be that all three pursue their American Dream and die because of it. Through its use of the colors yellow, green and blue, “The Great Gatsby” critiques the 1920’s American Dream through its tendency to cause disillusionment and destruction to Myrtle, George and Gatsby.
Myrtle sees the American Dream as simply acquiring money, and dies from pursuing it which is represented by the color yellow. One example that

Early in life, Gatsby invents who he wants to be in his mind, which is someone who works hard and moves up in society. This can be inferred from his early goals in the book that his dad shows Nick (Fitzgerald 173). Like George, Gatsby is also associated with the color green, further proving that this is his dream. For example, he wears a green jersey right before telling millionaire Dan Cody about the wind in an attempt to change his life (98). He also falls in love with Daisy, who to him is represented by a green light and thus embodies his dream as well (93). He also says he is originally attracted to her through her social rank, and that “her voice is full of money,” further supporting Daisy representing this dream (120). In both cases, he loses his dreams. He is cheated out of the money Dan Cody gives him, and is sent off to fight in France and forced to lose Daisy, who then marries someone else (100, 152). Taking this into account, it is possible that Gatsby becomes disillusioned and realizes that his dream is unattainable. However, Gatsby does not accept that realization as