How Does The Great Gatsby Relate To Today

Michael Nappa

Mrs.Paul

LIT/COMP 9

17 Apr 2023

American dream Now VS Then Most people dream of getting rich, having a family, and buying the nicest things, right? Well, that's called the American dream. The 1920s commonly known as the roaring twenties marked economic growth, technological advancements, and equality was being made. In The Great Gatsby the ideal of being rich leads to a better life which supports the American dream. People worked hard and dealt with things going on in the world to complete the American dream and still do today. In The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, he uses women’s rights and someone’s wealth and social status as a representation of the American dream and how it still applies today. There are many things

People still struggle for equality, for example, people of color and women's rights." I hope she'll be a fool - that's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool” (Fitzgerald 16). This quote supports the idea of how women fought for their rights. Even though women's rights have improved since the 1920s they still fight for things like the gender pay gap, Leadership positions, and more. This also shows that the equality part of the American dream still hasn't been met yet. Women worked very hard for their rights just like lots of people do to become rich and successful. "Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that's no matter--tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther” (138). Nick, the main character, says this about Gatsby. Nick is talking about how Gatsby works harder every day and tries to improve every day. This still applies today because people want to work harder every day to pursue the American dream of wealth and status within our society. They will not stop no matter what challenges they

"So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past." (138). People back then were faced with problems like race and politics. While those things still apply today there is a lot more standing in the way of people achieving their dreams. For example, covid made many lose their jobs and lives. It also made the economy crash so the idea of the American dream became much harder for many people. If you see someone driving a nice car you're going to assume they have a nice house and lots of money. "There was music from my neighbor's house through the summer nights. In his blue gardens men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars” (32). This quote is talking about the parties Gatsby throws. It is referring to his material possessions and how it goes along with wealth and success. People are most likely going to assume you have completed the American dream if you have nice things like a nice car and house and that still goes along with society