Examples Of Hope In The Great Gatsby

Hope drives many to push their moral boundaries as humans in order to achieve their own personal definition of success. In the novel The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, hope is omnipresent. Fitzgerald creates a society where his characters are developed based on their aspirations to succeed. The novel focuses on the story of Jay Gatsby, and how his ultimate goal to find love consumes his life. Throughout the novel, Gatsby formulates plans to reconnect with Daisy, such as hosting lavish parties and inviting her to tea. Despite the fact that she is currently married, Gatsby pushes himself and uses his intelligence to become successful. Eventually Gatsby has an affair with Daisy, and ends up acquiring the girl of his dreams; until the unimaginable

In the novel, the valley of ashes is symbolic of the American Dream because it represents the failures of society and mankind. When traveling back home, Nick often passes the valley of ashes and describes that, “This is a valley of ashes – a fantastic farm where ashes grow like wheat into ridges and hills and grotesque gardens; where ashes take the forms of houses and chimneys and rising smoke and, finally, with a transcendent effort, of men who move dimly and already crumbling through the powdery air” (23). Even though Gatsby achieved the American Dream and became successful, his values were ultimately corrupted by his greed and wealth in order to entice Daisy. In comparison to the valley of ashes, Gatsby’s physical surroundings begin to have superficial values making him hollow similarly to the crumbling valley. The valley of ashes, also demonstrates the oppression of the poor who are forced to live in a such a world where only the wealthy thrive. “But above the gray land and the spasms of bleak dust which drift endlessly over it,” (23). In both the novel and the nineteen-twenties, the poor came to America in order to achieve the American Dream. Even though Gatsby succeeded by associating himself with Dan Cody, many failed and fell into poverty. While countless immigrants suffered, the rich progressed from their work. The gray land symbolizes that the immigrants were forgotten after being unable to achieve their dream. In not being able to achieve their goals, the valley of ashes represents how Gatsby was unable to convince Daisy to leave Tom. Also, after Gatsby is murdered occurs, Daisy abandons Gatsby proving that he never truly achieved his dream and was never acknowledged for his attempt. After continuously trying to please Daisy, Gatsby ultimately fails and loses himself in the