The American Dream In The Great Gatsby By F. Scott Fitzgerald

Throughout The Great Gatsby, the concept of the "American Dream" is significantly used. The "American Dream" is a happy way of living that is thought of by many Americans as something that can be achieved by anyone in the U.S., especially by working hard and becoming successful (Webster). During the book, many characters perceive the "American Dream" differently. Gatsby is an excellent example of this because he came from nothing and reached the top. Gatsby was by himself and poor as a young man. He learned to make money as a young man by bootlegging. Gatsby then made a living off bootlegging and became rich. Tom and Daisy were trying to maintain their image as "a happy couple" and living the "American Dream". Their relationship was not working,

Throughout The Great Gatsby, the American dream is portrayed in different ways, including Gatsby's journey from the bottom to the top, Tom and Daisy's attempts to maintain the image of their marriage, and Nick's pursuit of his career as a middle-class citizen. Gatsby always wanted to live the "American Dream" and live as a wealthy person. For the whole of Gatsby's early life, he was faced with many problems considering wealth. Gatsby had had enough of it, so he started working for a man named Dan Cody on Lake Superior. Gatsby learned his ways and became a professional bootlegger. Gatsby became rich from this, and money was no longer a problem. Gatsby was homeless while living on Lake Superior. He was desperate for a job and barely had enough money to survive. Gatsby explains, "For over a year, I had been beating my way along the south shore of Lake Superior as a clam-digger and a salmon-fisher or in any other capacity that brought me food and bed. Then I found out that he was my neighbor, but he never even seemed to consider he was my neighbor" (162 Fitzgerald). Gatsby explains the ways in which he has to live and how life could soon get better for

Nick explains, "Everyone suspects himself of at least one of the cardinal virtues, and this is mine: I am one of the few honest people that I have ever known" (7 Fitzgerald). Nick describes how, throughout his life, he has been the only honest person. This also shows his humility and the ability not to be so haughty. Nick is a very kind person who is not insulting or harmful in the book. Nick has set almost a rule for himself, and he explains, "In consequence, I'm inclined to reserve all judgments, a habit that has opened up many curious natures to me and also made me the victim of not a few veteran bores" (33 Fitzgerald). Nick explains that he is trying not to be judgemental towards anyone and tries to be the kindest person possible for the duration of the book. Nick has an excellent attitude toward everything and is not jealous of anyone else's wealth. This reflects his patience and contentment as a middle-class citizen. Nick is very patient because even though he is not rich, he knows that opportunities will come up to give him the ability to become wealthy. Nick's "American Dream" is honestly him being content with his life as it is, but he will not waive down an opportunity that will enhance his