The Great Gatsby And The American Dream

In life, everybody hopes to seek prosperity, and the American dream exemplifies the opportunity of success and security. As part of American culture, the American dream is a key part of what defines America. In light of over a century of this dream, many people can see the effects that develop from it as the famous American writer Azar Nafisi describes, “The negative side of the American Dream comes when people pursue success at any cost, which in turn destroys the vision and the dream.” Despite what people hate about the American dream, the unwavering tenacity that people strive for the American dream is what makes it beautiful and admirable. In his novel The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald criticizes and explores the early ideas of the

For instance, Nick’s ancestors achieve wealth that has a positive impact on society and themselves, Nick notes his family, “sent a substitute to the Civil War, and started the wholesale business that my father carries on to-day” (3). Although Nick’s ancestor is able to make money by making another person suffer in war, the man volunteering sells himself to represent Nick’s ancestor, and from this opportunity, he is able to start his own wholesale business. This business supports the economy after the war and feeds American families through distributing food and necessities. More importantly, Nick’s ancestor is still able to create a profitable and stable business that can feed and support his family for generations. Plus, he can be proud of the money he made because he makes his money legally. Yet, he is only able to construct his business through taking advantage of another person, his action illustrates that sometimes to constitute wealth is to disregard their moral obligations for others. Unlike Nick’s ancestor positive impact, Gatsby fails to do so for both himself and society. As Tom and Gatsby argue, Tom remarks Gatsby, “bought up a lot of… street drug−stores… and… sold grain alcohol” (67). Tom finds out Gatsby’s underground business from those Gatsby betrays in his business. Although Gatsby achieves his wealth through his

Initially, when Gatsby meets Daisy, he wants to marry her but he could not because she and her parents believe he is not rich and well-educated enough. As his career spans, he lies to others that he is from Oxford to make himself look sophisticated and high-class. Over time, people who are suspicious of his history like Tom questions if he really is from Oxford, he confesses, “I only stayed five months… I can't really call myself an Oxford man" (129). People cannot blame Gatsby for lying because he, like regular people, want the group to accept them. Gatsby wants them to accept him to gain the favor of Daisy, so he lies that he comes from Oxford. Moreover, a part of achieving the American dream is that people graduate from an exceptional school, and people who achieve this expectation often see themselves above others and segregate others from their group. This expectation of higher education only reinforces the inequality between others. Despite Gatsby’s tells the truth, it does not make Tom happy, instead, he scorns and belittles him furthermore. This class and education difference fuels Gatsby’s hate for the rich like Tom but also fuels his desire to be like them so he can be with Daisy. Nick and his father understand this