The American Dream is, for many, the idea of having more opportunities and living a better life. Many people come to the United States primarily attracted by better job opportunities for themselves and their families. They view America as a place of opportunity where prosperity and success can be attained through perseverance and hard work. The American Dream is a recurring subject in F. Scott Fitzgerald's "The Great Gatsby," acting as both an analysis of the elusive nature of prosperity and pleasure in American society and a driving force behind the actions and motivations of the main characters. He captures readers with his examination of the illusions that envelop the American Dream and the complexity of the human condition. "The Great Gatsby" …show more content…
The story offers a vivid depiction of Jazz Age society, where excess and extravagance are the characteristics of success, set against the lavish backdrop of the Roaring Twenties. Fitzgerald examines the intricacies of wealth and its effects on people and society at large through the characters of Nick Carraway, Tom and Daisy Buchanan, and Jay Gatsby. In "The Great Gatsby," Fitzgerald delivers a sharp indictment of the materialism and moral decay that characterize American culture, where wealth plays a significant role. According to the writer, “They’re a rotten crowd,....You’re worth the whole damn bunch put together.” (118) In these words, Nick Carraway, the book's narrator, conveys his displeasure with the ostentatious and wealthy individuals who live in the world of East and West Egg. The novel's condemnation of the vacuous aspirations and shallow morals of the upper class is further highlighted by Nick's revelation that Gatsby, despite his sudden wealth and flamboyant lifestyle, retains a moral integrity and authenticity lacking in his wealthy associates. Fitzgerald implies in this quotation that a person's genuine worth and value are determined by their deeds and character, rather than just by their financial status. The protagonist of the book, Gatsby, personifies the classic American dreamer as he relentlessly pursues wealth and power in an effort to win back Daisy Buchanan, the love of his life. In addition to serving as emblems of the excesses of the day, his elaborate parties and displays of riches also draw attention to the superficiality and emptiness that can result from pursuing monetary achievement. The concept of "love" in Fitzgerald's is presented as intricate and multidimensional, entwining themes of illusion, longing, and desire. The narrative explores several manifestations of love,