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Is The Great Gatsby American Dream Still Alive

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“In the 1920s, the average American income rose between 20% to 40%.” The novel “The Great Gatsby” is based on this period of economic growth. Throughout the novel, we follow Jay Gatsby on his adventure to pursue his dream of wealth and his long-lost love, Daisy Buchanan. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, “The Great Gatsby,” the American Dream represents wealth, status, and romance; however, it is not possible since it’s all corrupted by illusions and materialistic stuff. The American Dream is adaptable to each individual. This dream represents a personal concept of the ideal life of freedom, opportunity, and the potential for success. In the article “Is The American Dream Still Alive” it says “The beauty of the American Dream is that each person can craft his or her own definition of what it means and then choose the means by which to achieve it.” This statement stresses the adaptability of each person. …show more content…

This dream can be seen in many different ways; it just depends on how the individual chooses to see it. Jay Gatsby’s American Dream consists of wealth and rekindling his romance with Daisy Buchanan. “It was a factual imitation of some Hôtel de Ville in Normandy, with a tower on one side, spanking new under a thin beard of raw ivy, and a marble swimming pool and more than forty acres of lawn and garden” (Fitzgerald 7). Here we are described to Gatsby's mansion. This can be seen as a symbol of his wealth and how he desires to be a part of the upper class. Gatsby’s pursuit of wealth is mainly to impress and try to gain Daisy back. His dream simply revolves around wealth and Daisy. Daisy Buchanan’s American Dream also revolves around wealth, just like

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The American Dream Portrayed in the Great Gatsby In the Great Gatsby, a historical fictional novel created by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the main character and subject of the book Jay Gatsby has gone from rags to riches. However, his peers, who have equally as much money as Gatsby himself reject him, because his wealth is acquired, not handed down. Through his decision to set the Great Gatsby in the roaring 20’s, where wealth hit an all time high, the author highlights the theme that the American Dream is an achievable accomplishment, despite how high one must rise to get there, despite the underlying mess that is often present.

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The American dream is a major theme in Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby," exploring whether it is realistic or unrealistic. Fitzgerald dives into the aspirations for wealth, symbolism, and the results of chasing such a dream through characters like Jay Gatsby, Tom, and Daisy Buchanan. The book's protagonist, Gatsby, is the personification of the American dream. At the beginning of the story, it is clear that he wishes to be with Daisy, in addition to his social status and wealth. His constant ambition is shown many times throughout the book.

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In the America of The Great Gatsby, no dream, “American” or not, can be fully realized. Although Jay Gatsby, with his humble beginnings, seems the only character in the novel to truly achieve the “American Dream,” all the wealth and splendor in the world cannot help him win Daisy’s heart and devotion. Through Gatsby, Fitzgerald demonstrates the elusive nature of the American Dream, and the absolute absurdity of the idea that one can make it in America while still pure of heart and clean of mind. Simply, Fitzgerald completely discredits the pervasive American idea that hard work will lead to satisfaction and ultimate success.

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