Decline Of The American Dream In The Great Gatsby

The Downside of the American Dream

In the United States, everyone regardless of race, religion, and gender are granted equal opportunity to achieve their American Dream. In The Great Gatsby written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, he presents the American experience of achieving the American dream. Fitzgerald uses symbolism, imagery, and similes to demonstrate the factors that led to the corruption of ones’ American dream.

A strong ambition for something can lead to a corruption of one’s American dream. During Gatsby and Daisy’s first meeting after five years, Gatsby was extremely nervous that “the clock took this moment to tilt dangerously at the pressure of his head, whereupon he turned and caught it with trembling fingers” (Fitzgerald 86). The

As Myrtle discusses her relationship with Mr. Wilson, she went “crazy when [she] married [Mr. Wilson]. He borrowed somebody’s best suit to get married in” (35). Myrtle’s serious tone reveal how “crazy” she values status and wealth. Myrtle’s serious tone demonstrates how disappointed she was when she found out Mr. Wilson was part of the lower class. Fitzgerald shows how one’s American dream of becoming the wealthy class cannot be achieved due to greed. Gatsby’s love for Daisy reveals his desire to become apart of the wealthy class. As Gatsby expresses his true feelings about Daisy to Nick Carraway, Gatsby is attracted to Daisy’s “indiscreet voice” because “her voice is full of money” (120). “Indiscreet” is when one does or speak something carelessly or unwisely. Fitzgerald’s metaphor of comparing Daisy’s voice to “money” suggest how much Daisy values her wealth and status. Daisy’s “indiscreet” and “money” voice demonstrates how she is willing to give up anything for wealth. Daisy’s dream of becoming wealthy is blinded by her love for Gatsby. As Gatsby shows Daisy around his mansion, he began throwing his shirts and Daisy began crying because she has “never seen such beautiful shirts before” (92). Gatsby’s expensive shirts symbolize his wealth that he earned to win Daisy’s love back. Daisy’s emotional tone over Gatsby’s “beautiful shirts” demonstrates how she was disappointed that she would choose money, Tom Buchanan, over love. Daisy would have had both happiness and wealth if she had waited for Gatsby. One’s greed for luxury can result in a corruption of one’s