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Examples Of Disenchantment In The Great Gatsby

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Disenchantment: The American Dream Reimagined Through Gatsby “The American Dream is briefly defined as it is the belief that every man, whatever his origins, may pursue and attain his chosen goals, be they political, monetary, or social. It is the literary expression of the concept of America: the land of opportunity.” (Pearson) The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a work of literature made and set in the 1920s of Jazz Age America. Post World War 1, many immigrants entered the United States to achieve the “attainable” American Dream. As previously mentioned, the American Dream is seen as the concept of America and has given America the nickname “The Land Of Opportunity”. The novel focuses on the main protagonist, formerly known as James …show more content…

The first introduction of Gatsby in the novel is when Nick sees Gatsby reaching out for a green light on the dock of his mansion. It is described as him reaching out almost to touch the green light that seems not so far away. Other symbols like Dr. T.J. Eckleburg’s eyes and the Valley of Ashes are introduced later in the novel and can connect to other characters. Dr. TJ Eckleburg’s eyes are seen as Daisy, Nick, Tom, Jordan, and Gatsby drive to Manhattan through the Valley of Ashes. Eyes are always seen and although they’re on a billboard, they’re very big and positioned to be able to see everything. The Valley of Ashes is a place for poor and working-class citizens. The town is gray, marginalized, and contains members of the minority. In The Great Gatsby, symbols like Dr. T.J. Eckleburg’s eyes, the Green Light, and the Valley of Ashes reveal how the American Dream's glamorous exterior is deceptive and requires more than meets the eye and will be uncovered by using textual evidence to create a connection between the symbols, characters, and their experiences. Green is a color that symbolizes hope, prosperity, and

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It now represents an unattainable dream inside of everyone that is continuously sought after. Another recurring theme in The Great Gatsby are the looming eyes of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg. These eyes represent a higher power that is observing the immoral events that occur in the book. The Valley of Ashes symbolizes the poor lower class who suffers at the benefit of the wealthy. The Valley of Ashes could also represent the devastating effects of The American Dream.

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