How Does Fitzgerald Present The American Dream In The Great Gatsby

The American Dream is the belief that anyone, regardless of race, class, gender or nationality, can be successful in America if they work hard enough and desire it. The American Dream presents a “perfect” view of America and ignores problems like racism and inequality. There is a developed class system in America but due to this dream, all problems of America and this system, is disregarded. The 1920’s were an intense time because of immigration and women's roles changing, like given the right to vote. This is when the idea of becoming rich on Wall Street exploded. In 1929, this all crashed and lead a huge epidemic of depression. The Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald was published right in the middle of this time, 1925. It is understandable as to why this book gives a pessimistic view of this big idea. 3 Characters in this book suffer because of the American Dream so The Great Gatsby definitely presents the American Dream as corrupt and unreachable.

involuntarily I glanced seaward- and distinguished nothing except a single green light, minute and far away, that might have been the end of a dock” (Fitzgerald 4). In our first look of Mr. Gatsby, we see him reaching for the green light that's not too far but is unreachable. This green light is a symbol of Gatsby’s idea of the American Dream. An idea that people are always reaching for something that they will never actually get to. This intro to Gatsby is likely foreshadowing his negative outcome. But Gatsby is not the only one affected by this Dream. We see Myrtle and Daisy also watch as their dreams slip through their hands throughout the