How Does Jay Gatsby Embodies The American Dream

The American Dream initially arose during the early 1900’s. While many seek their dream to include wealth or stability, the American Dream is a broad idea that is unique to everyone. Throughout The Great Gatsby, author Scott F. Fitzgerald shows the American Dream as different for everyone and constantly changing. While Fitzgerald demonstrates how the American Dream varies from person to person, he also illustrates how it is often unattainable. Fitzgerald uses his characters to portray the many perspectives on the American Dream, and despite the fact that they differ, they all fail to achieve their goals. Jay Gatsby is one example of a character that embodies the American Dream throughout the novel. Although Gatsby can be seen as the epitome

Myrtle realizes she can't keep her life as it is after discovering that her husband, George Wilson, plans to move west. However, after running outside in the hopes of finding Tom's car, she is hit and dies immediately. Fitzgerald uses Myrtle's character and actions to demonstrate how some people go through life without ever reaching their dreams. Although many people strive to create a better life for others, some will never achieve that goal. Nick Carraway is another character utilized by Fitzgerald to show how the American Dream varies for everyone. Despite coming from a wealthy family, Nick wanted to move to Long Island to make his own money and build a life for himself. “Everybody I knew was in the bond business, so I supposed it could support one more single man.” (Fitzgerald 3). Nick intends to enter the bond industry in the hopes of becoming successful. After spending time in New York, Nick soon realizes that it wasn’t all he thought it would be. “After Gatsby’s death the East was haunted for me like that, distorted beyond my eyes’ power of correction... I decided to come back home.” (Fitzgerald