The Great Gatsby Light And Daisy

James Truslow Adams first coined the phrase “American Dream” in 1931 in his world-renowned history novel The Epic of America. The American Dream consists of a societal belief that with hard work and determination, one can achieve prosperity and advancement of socioeconomic status. One’s original status or wealth does not impede in their triumph in this ideal American society. Although the Adams coined the phrase in 1931, the philosophy of the American Dream existed beforehand in the culture and in literature. In the novel The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald details the life of Jay Gatsby, who represents the “rags-to-riches” story that Americans idealize. With Gatsby’s story, Fitzgerald emphasizes on the importance of chasing the American

Stars and the moon, from an earthly perspective, are in close proximity, although reality, they are thousands of light years apart. Similarly, Gatsby relates two distantly related things, the green light and Daisy. Moreover, the comparison of the light to stars suggests that Gatsby’s dreams, like stars, seem far away and beautiful. Gatsby aims to achieve something greater than what he already has, which matches the concept of the American Dream. After Gatsby’s death, Nick reflects on the effect of the green light on Gatsby’s character. He compares the light to “the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us” (180). Fitzgerald coins the word “orgastic”, signifying the unrestrained excitement for the future that Gatsby has in his hopes to reconnect with Daisy. However, the future “recedes before” him, since he spends so much time dreaming about the future that he runs out of time to spend with her. This is an implied comparison of Gatsby to American society; Americans yearn for their own success to occur, yet lose the time to experience their victory. Nick further reflects that although the future “elude[s] us then, …

Nick describes Gatsby’s car as a “swollen here and there in its monstrous length with triumphant hat-boxes and supper-boxes and tool-boxes… behind many layers of glass [there is] a sort of green leather conservatory” (64). The car exudes luxuriousness, with diction such as “swollen” and “monstrous” insinuating an excessive quality to the wealth. The polysyndeton referring to the various types of boxes Gatsby owns also emphasizes the excess affluence in Gatsby’s life. Additionally, Fitzgerald draws the comparison between the interior of the car to a “conservatory”, which refers to a room with large glass windows used as a greenhouse or sun parlor. Only the most prosperous can afford this nonessential room; similarly, only the most prosperous can afford such a fancy car interior, which adds only comfort and style to the vehicle. Gatsby flaunts his fortune with this car, which has a green interior. Fitzgerald again associates the green color with the opulence of the car to make the connection between green and opportunity. However, this opportunity does not result in positive consequences. The American Dream supports those who earn their wealth, although Fitzgerald paints a negative picture of how the successful brandish their excessive wealth. Moreover, when Nick thinks back on his westward trips toward his home, he recalls the “fur coats of the