In-Depth Analysis Of The Great Gatsby

There is more depth to The Great Gatsby than merely a protagonist, plot, and green light. The story has depth and meaning because of the variety of writing styles Fitzgerald uses and the major themes we still witness today. The most famous theme Fitzgerald employs in the book is the American Dream. The American Dream is as defined in the dictionary as “the idea that every US citizen should have equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative.” Fitzgerald himself described it as unachievable and says that chasing the American Dream ends up doing more destruction to oneself. The book as a whole is about how one man, Gatsby, chased the American Dream and how it ultimately lead to his decline. I don’t believe Fitzgerald truly believes that the American Dream is an illusion, but through his characters he shows how people’s inhibitions and greed can cause them to lose focus, and ultimately stop them from achieving the dream. The

Nick’s goal wasn’t to pursue the American Dream, at least it never seemed that way. Nick’s goal when moving to New York was to become a “bond man”, but didn’t even try to be a part of the bond business. He became too involved in Gatsby’s life that Nick forgot about his own. After Gatsby’s death Nick left New York to go back home, not even letting himself try and start a life for himself. Giving up all hope in the American Dream. Nick is an example of how not everyone is suited to achieve or even try for the American Dream. He unlike Gatsby never had a pushing force to make him want to seek a better life nor the tenacity to make it happen. Nick is Gatsby foil, though they are neighbors Nick lives in a small bungalow next to Gatsby mansion and is perfectly content. Gatsby on the other hand pushes himself to always be working harder no matter the cost just to achieve his American