The American Dream In The Great Gatsby

The American Dream, an ideal that was first defined by James Truslow Adams in the 1931 novel Epic of America. Adams defined the dream as, "The American Dream is that dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement" (Adams 214). The American dream although not formally defined had been widely written about prior to Adam's defining of the term. It was a central theme in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby. In the novel, Fitzgerald's character Jay Gatsby overcomes his past to become an incredibly wealthy man, a model of success on the surface. The definition of the American Dream has not remained static, but has evolved over time. Looking

Some would argue that the American Dream has not been realized or evolved, or that individuals could be chasing any one or all of the items mentioned previously simultaneously. The beginnings of America were founded upon the dream of religious freedom. The first settlers, the Pilgrims and Puritans both fled their homelands of England and Europe in hopes of practicing their faith as they chose. Non-conformity in their homeland would often lead to punishment, including death. As stated by historian William Durant, "For men came across the sea not merely to find new soil for their plows but to win freedom for their souls, to think and speak and worship as they would" (Wills). Many would argue the American Dream of religious freedom is not real, but only imagined. History

When slaves first arrived in the new world they were not afforded any rights, they were bought and sold as machinery or goods would be. In fact as late as 1857, the US Supreme Court ruled that slaves were not considered citizens per the United States Constitution and were therefore considered property of his owner. Despite these setbacks the Dream never died. The Dream took a big leap when Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, freeing all slaves in any state within the Confederate States of America. Although this proclamation afforded black slaves their freedom they were still far from being considered the equal of a white individual. The Dream once again continued, and with the rise of Martin Luther King, Jr., the realization of the American dream was at hand. Dr. King's belief in the American Dream inspired millions to follow him and believe in that same Dream. In his famous “ I Have a Dream” speech Dr. King said, "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character" (King). The culmination of this dream was realized with the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 which forbade discrimination based upon race, ended desegregation of schools, and reinforced the right to vote. Many