The Great Gatsby Is The American Dream Relevant Today

Throughout the 1920s, the American dream was revitalized and altered by the introduction of new technology and the growing prosperity it produced. According to Jennifer Banach’s essay, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s American Dream, the American dream in the 1920s featured a shift from the idea of personal fulfillment and happiness to the acquisition of material wealth due to the new technologies and industries of the automobile, radio, and the start of silent movies. Although the booming new industries allowed for increasing employment opportunities, the path to ultimate success was strenuous and often very difficult for many. The big parties, fancy cars, and luxurious clothing all overshadowed the struggles and conflicts between the rich and the poor

Scott Fitzgerald. Jay Gatsby, the novel’s main character, worked his way up from an impoverished childhood to a wealthy man obsessed and driven by material success. Throughout the novel, Gatsby longs for a reunited relationship with Daisy Buchanan. However, his wealth and dwindling time prove as major obstacles to Gatsby’s goal. Gatsby comes into conflict with the change in perception of the American dream as he lacks the innate qualities of happiness and fulfillment that ultimately haunt him in his journey to rewin Daisy’s love. Throughout The Great Gatsby, the idea of the American Dream is portrayed and connected to the dream Gatsby longs for in his relationship with Daisy, as he faces the conflicts of time and money that combat and challenge his

However, his dream is conflicted by the obstacles of money and time which combat and challenge his goal. Gatsby’s goal in the novel is to win back Daisy’s love from Tom whom she married while Gatsby was fighting in WWI. He does this by trying to connect with the novel’s narrator, Nick, who is also cousins with Daisy. Although Gatsby does everything he can to win Daisy back, the obstacles of money and time get in the way of his journey to establish a new life with her. His competitor, Tom, is wealthier and has a stable business compared to Gatsby’s illegal and unstable confidential schemes. Daisy also chose to marry Tom while Gatsby was in the war because Tom could provide her with whatever she needed. Gatsby’s time in the war also prevents him from further establishing and securing a long-lasting relationship with Daisy. During his time in battle, she has moved on to marry another man and now has a daughter to take care of. The experiences from the war effort also altered Gatsby’s physical and emotional appearance, scarring and changing his life forever. This sequence of events was similar for many American men during the 1920s. At the beginning of the decade, many men were determined to achieve the more common American dream. However, the start of WWI forced many into the war effort due to the establishment of the draft. When the war ended and