Examples Of Corruption Of The American Dream In The Great Gatsby

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Over the course of the novel The Great Gatsby, the main character James Gatz, more commonly known as Jay Gatsby, lives the American Dream. Gatsby's life is filled with large- lavish parties, beautiful cars, and an enormous mansion on the Sound. Gatsby worked for this lifestyle by following his dream to better himself. This dream leads Gatsby to become corrupt. But Gatsby's American Dream has become corrupted because of a lack of reality. You can see this throughout the novel, along with the degrading morals of the 1920's.
During the novel, Gatsby is described as mysterious but charming. We this out to be the right assumption of Gatsby. James Gatz was born in the Midwest to a poor farming-family. Gatsby did not let his social class define …show more content…

After only two weeks, Gatz drops out and moves to work on Lake Superior as a fisherman. While he was on Lake Superior, Gatz notices a large yacht and rows out to warn its captain that a storm is incoming. The owner of the yacht turns out to be Dan Cody, a wealthy copper mogul. Cody asks Gatz his name and Gatz replies "Jay Gatsby." I believe this symbolizes the death of James Gatz and the birth of the powerful Jay Gatsby. Cody invites Gatsby onto his yacht to become his "personal assistant. Gatsby travels with Cody around the world and falls in love with Cody's lavish lifestyle. Cody eventually dies but leaves Gatsby with $25,000. Cody's wife does not allow for Gatsby to take this money that was left for him, so Gatsby is left with nothing. Gatsby is now willing to do whatever it takes to become rich. But that must wait, WWII has begun and Gatsby joins the military. While stationed in Camp Taylor in Louisville, Gatsby meets a beautiful 18-year old Daisy Fay. Gatsby falls in love with Daisy. Gatsby is head over heels in love with Daisy, but he is not rich enough for her. Gatsby knows this and is determined to become what he is not; rich. However, Gatsby cannot focus on becoming rich because he must go