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Great Gatsby Essay

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F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, published in 1925, is a novel of triumph and tragedy that sheds light on a new insight regarding the American Dream. Narrated from the perspective of Nick Carraway and set in the glamorous Long Island during the 1920s, the novel follows the mysterious and wealthy Jay Gatsby as he attempts to win back the love of his life, Daisy Buchanan. Nick’s examination of Gatsby’s lavish parties and lifestyle reveals not only his true motives but also uncovers details about who Gatsby truly is, his past, and the origins of his wealth. Throughout Nick’s experiences in both East and West Egg—the two class disparities of Long Island—he exposes the complex role that deceit and false promises play in determining an individual’s …show more content…

These themes can be further understood by examining greed and ambition, wealth and status, and the true meaning of success. Each character’s unique decisions and relationships reveal defining principles about the origins of their success and their emotions regarding that success. Due to his relatively new presence in Long Island, conversations with Nick tend to expose the most about a character’s current state of happiness. They will therefore be heavily analyzed to better understand their individuality’s complexity. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby portrays the American dream as a false promise of success, achieved through deceit and corruption, which may have devastating consequences and leave individuals with nothing but a hollow …show more content…

Throughout The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald presents the harsh consequences of pursuing success solely for material gain and social status. These realities—embodied by the variety of characters in the novel—illustrate how the climb to unparalleled wealth and power can corrupt individuals and their morals. Instead, true success is achieved through personal growth and the development of meaningful relationships rather than the limitless rush for wealth or status. Obsessively chasing after a dream—such as the renowned American Dream—without considering all potential consequences and adverse effects of one’s actions, will only ever end in a depressing sense of disillusionment. Cultivating authentic relationships and recognizing that true success is far more than financial gain will ensure benefits for not only an individual, but the world as a whole. In the modern world, setting attainable goals and dreams is crucial in molding lasting happiness. This feeling of fulfillment, more valuable than material “success,” makes life worth

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