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The American Dream In The Great Gatsby

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Baz Luhrmann’s film, The Great Gatsby, reveals a world where people have no hope of improving their situation in life, for though the American Dream promises great opportunities, there are few chances for the characters to realise their ambition. However, the decadence of the 1920s makes for a world where the hope for a better life sustains people as they endure lives of greed, frustration and shattered dreams.

The era of the roaring twenties created an illusion for many people that they could create a better life for themselves. Luhrmann affirms this through flashbacks of Gatsby’s life who before he met Daisy, was working-class and “dirt poor” but never accepted his life, as he believed he was “destined for future glory”. Luhrmann explores …show more content…

Luhrmann confirms this through Myrtle who lives a double life, one which in reality is with George in the “grotesque” Valley of Ashes and the life she desires in the “hidden flat Tom kept for [her]”. The audience sees how Myrtle longs to be like Daisy, a part of the upper class, with her scarlet clothing and vibrant makeup, which make her appear as though she is dressing up, just like a little girl. The pearl necklace Tom gives Myrtle symbolises the fragility of her connection to Tom and the allure of his wealthy lifestyle. Through the mid-shot of the bright headlights on Gatsby’s car, Luhrmann shows the peril of Myrtle’s last moments before her death, which only occurred because she was running to her new life with Tom. Also attempting to pursue the American Dream is Nick, who as one of the many “young and ambitious” people in New York starts a job as a broker, a profession that ironically involves chasing money instead of his dream to be a writer. Nick makes connections with rich people like Tom and Gatsby, dressing the part in suits, but by the end of the film, all of this crashes down around Nick and he sees the “carelessness” of this decadence in his cousin Daisy and her husband Tom, who choose their own selfishness over honesty. Luhrmann shows the viewer that though it is possible to reach the American Dream

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