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

As children grew up in the 1920s, their role in life was to accomplish the American Dream. The American dream is achieving success through hard work and dedication. The roaring twenties was a period in history with new social and economic changes. During this time, the American economy was booming, which leads to the growth of cities, partying, jazz, and illegal drinking of alcohol, also known as prohibition, which led to job opportunities. Many Americans dreamt of having a life full with happiness. Men and women had certain goals in life to achieve the top social class. Many novels depict the struggle to have an effective life. Two examples of this are in The Great Gatsby, when the reader is able to understand the struggles that Nick and Daisy

One primary character that contributes to the American Dream is Jay Gatsby. Gatsby creates his success from nothing. Growing up, Gatsby had a home that was not a typical dream. Because of Jay's home life, Gatsby inspires to live a wealthy and thriving life. F. Scott Fitzgerald states “his parents were shiftless and unsuccessful farm people- his imagination had never really accepted them as his parents at all” (63). As soon as Gatsby learns that life has more to discover, Jay left his home and met a man, Dan Cody, who influences Gatsby. Jay learns important life lessons and strategies to become successful. Jay finds work with Meyer Wolfsheim and follows his childhood dreams to be something more. Jay is now able to afford a mansion and throw lavish parties. Gatsby is unable to have all the characteristics of the American dream because of life without Daisy and a family. Even though Gatsby did not completely fulfill the American dream, Jay strives to have it. Without Gatsby’s motivation to have a better life, Jay would not have been able to live the American

Women generally obeyed their husbands before the roaring twenties, but the lifestyles of women were changing dramatically. Ladies were more outspoken because they were not seen as property. They also fought for the right to vote. Women can now do whatever they want without a man, but some women choose to follow traditions. Ladies would find a wealthy man that could support them, which was a part of the American Dream. One example of a character from The Great Gatsby that follows the American dream is Daisy. Daisy finds a loving husband, Tom Buchanan, and creates a family. When Daisy was growing up, the main goal of life for women was to be “a beautiful little fool” (F. Scott Fitzgerald). Daisy chose to live a life with money to have happiness. The main goal of the American dream for women is to have a loving wealthy husband and family to