Sufficiency Of The American Dream In The Great Gatsby

The Sufficiency of the American Dreamt6g Mahatma Gandhi once argued, “There is a sufficiency in the world for man's need but not for man's greed.” The American Dream evolves into the idea where nothing is ever enough, and you always strive for more, but rarely achieve it. The 1920s dealt an economic boom full of wealth and greed across America. In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s post-war novel The Great Gatsby, excess of wealth is a central theme. Jay Gatsby has made himself millions and is always seeking more, but never seems to find that ultimate source of contentment. He never lacks what is necessary, only what he wants. Increases in wealth and greed, such as those seen in the 1920s, often corrupt the American Dream and prevent its permanent attainability.

The American Dream is essentially that one has the ability to rise up on their own and gain wealth, power, and social status. Hawkes writes, “It is the American Dream—the story of self-creation and fulfilment” (21). The American Dream came from a time when America offered up a new land of hope and desire. It created an environment which cultivated business, artistic imagination, and a healthy greed (Hawkes 20). It allowed people to build and create for themselves a life worth living. This was especially apparent in the post-war 1920s, which brought an influx of money and commerce.

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The Dream itself is never fully achieved, but the goals which it provides are. The Dream only pulls people to the point of emptiness and makes them believe that just one , more is the only answer. It enchants the idea of more, but once more is found, the enchantment is lost and the person is left incomplete. But Americans never fail to get back up and keep striving for more. It is the American nature to maintain greed forever. It is the American way, fueled by the American