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Gatsby American Dream Quotes

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Gatsby Essay

Montana Renno

Period: 2

Mrs. Gwizdala

The American dream is a specific idea in which every American has an equal opportunity to succeed with hard work and determination. The Great Gatsby portrayed several truths of “The American Dream” shown through Fitzgerald’s characters. Throughout The Great Gatsby it becomes evident the American Dream cannot be obtained unless one was born into wealth. Jay Gatsby, the main character, was not born into wealth, but earned it through hard work. He was determined to find it himself, so he could finally be with the girl he loves, Daisy. Gatsby had made it a long way, he strived for so long to be with Daisy, but was killed just before he had been able to achieve his dream; to be with her. Gatsby not being able to be with Daisy is an example of a person’s past …show more content…

The last quote in The Great Gatsby states “So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past”( Fitzgerald 180). This quote explains the idea that life will go on, but one will be pulled back into their past. It will lead to never being able to get rid of their past no matter how hard one tries. The image of boats against the current makes the reader feel a strong force pushing against him or her, which one may never be able to escape from. The concept of boats against the current, and being “borne back ceaselessly into the past”, strongly connects to the idea that one cannot escape their past, it will always have a strong effect of unaccomplishment. Fitzgerald reveals that the concept of the American Dream, through Gatsby’s character, by showing an image of an individual working hard enough to have a successful future regardless of their past, is never attainable- demonstrated in American society today, except for those who

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