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

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The 1920 's was a time of excitement; people from all over the country had these grand aspirations of one day having it all. It was a time for those who believed in the American dream, and had no qualms pursuing it. A time when all it took was a little "courage and hard work". Some may have been born into a wealthy household, while others had to struggle by any means. Yet, somehow even when one may seem to have everything, the luxuries; it isn 't enough. A particular character that experiences this is known as the great Jay Gatsby. He was able to work his way into wealth, but he did not feel complete; his vision was not yet accomplished. Gatsby, a determined man, needed to have his past lover by his side in order to fulfill the "American dream". In the novel, The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the main protagonist has set his own path to the American dream, and will stop at nothing to succeed it.
As a young child, Jay Gatsby, or his birth name, James Gatz, was born into a poverty-stricken environment and had little to look forward to in his future. His true roots trace back to a poor family living in rural North Dakota on a farm. Gatsby happened to be one that endured the struggles of poverty; this significantly affected him, but in a different way. Most people use their living situations as a foundation for strong motivation to live a better life; Gatsby preferred to separate himself from those hardships in-order-to become the person he wanted to be in a life he