Loss Of The American Dream In The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald exhibits the loss of the American Dream the most through three characters: Tom Buchanan, Daisy Buchanan, and James Gatz, also known as Jay Gatsby. Tom Buchanan, a man who will use force and destruction to get what he wants because he is rich and high up in the social hierarchy and would like to keep it that way and not allow anyone else to achieve this. Daisy Buchanan, a woman who charms and manipulates people to get what she wants, all while staying rich, pretty, and innocent. Mr. Gatsby, a man who only wants one thing that can blame himself, but mostly others for destroying what he has built to get what he wants. Throughout the novel, Tom Buchanan, Daisy Buchanan, and Mr. Gatsby are all the cause of

Tom will put himself above everyone who tries to be on his “level” or social status. He feels entitled because of his status, belongings, and achievements and if there is something he doesn't like, he will do what he wants to diminish it. For example, during one of Tom's parties, Myrtle, who Tom is having an affair with, repeatedly says “Daisy”, who is Tom’s wife, and Tom doesn't like that she just wants to do what she wants by mentioning Daisy’s name. Myrtle is harshly reminded to comply with Tom's wishes when he “made a short deft movement, and Tom Buchanan broke her nose with his open hand. Then there were bloody towels upon the bathroom floor, and women's voices scolding, and high over the confusion a long broken wail of pain(Fitzgerald 37)”. Tom uses fear and violence to get what he wants. A small but important detail with the idea of the American Dream is to have control of what you want to do or exhibit. Tom will also sabotage anyone so he stays out of trouble, which always ends very

Daisy feels entitled, just like her husband Tom, because of her beauty, wealth, and status. A color that represents Daisy and her attitude towards others is pink. Pink represents innocence, youth, and femininity which describes Daisy throughout the novel. Daisy is also described as superficial and lacks depth which is also represented by the color pink. Through this femininity and innocence, Daisy manipulates and charms others into getting what she wants. An example of this is when Gatsby was waiting outside Daisy’s house and “A new point of view occurred to me. Suppose Tom found out that Daisy had been driving. He might think he saw a connection in it — he might think anything. I looked at the house; there were two or three bright windows down-stairs and the pink glow from Daisy’s room on the second floor. ‘You wait here,’ I said. ‘I’ll see if there’s any sign of a commotion’(Fitzgerald 144)”. When gatsby was waiting outside Daisy’s house he was waiting to see if Daisy was okay with her husband Tom, when she was supposedly going to tell him that she is taking the blame for killing Myrtle and driving the yellow car that day. Daisy was going to flash the pink lights and leave with Gatsby, but instead she turns the light off which symbolizes Gatsby’s dream of being with Daisy, and achieving his American Dream with her, come to an end. Daisy used Gatsby for her own success and