Great Gatsby Essay

Consider living the perfect life with everything you could ever want or need. The Great Gatsby is set in New York City in the 1920’s. During this time was the prohibition era, with flappers and speakeasies. The most important theme is the American dream. This theme is portrayed by the actions of Jay Gatsby. In chapter one, Nick explains how he sees Gatsby reaching towards the green light. This light symbolizes the American dream and love. The reader learns this later on in the novel. During chapter three, Nick is invited to one of many parties at Gatsby’s. He sees the orchestra, a bunch of food, drinks, and people. This shows Gatsby’s success and money, showing the American dream. The successes of the American dream are portrayed by, “On weekends

Toward the middle of the novel, the reader can see Gatsby’s American dream more clearly. In chapter four, Nick hangs out with Gatsby. At this point, Nick describes the moment Gatsby caught him staring at his car. Gatsby asked: “It’s pretty, isn’t it, old sport?” (Fitgerald 41). In this dialogue, it shows Gatsby is proud of his nice car, which means he has what he wants. The car is an example of the American dream because he bought it using all the money he has, therefore, him calling out Nick for looking at it shows his arrogance. He has multiple cars, as well. Gatsby having multiple cars really shows evidence of the American dream. Toward the end of the novel, it states, “My Finn informed me that Gatsby had dismissed every servant in his house a week ago and replaced them with half a dozen others, who never went into West Egg village to be bribed by the tradesmen, but ordered moderate supplies over the telephone” (Fitzgerald 71). Evidently, this shows that Gatsby has the money to hire whoever he wants because he has reached the American