The Great Gatsby Lying

1167 Words5 Pages

In "The Great Gatsby," it is clear that the American Dream is a deceptive concept that only leads to disillusionment and misery. Despite the many characters' attempts to achieve their versions of the American Dream, it always remains just out of reach, causing them to spiral into despair. Gatsby himself embodies the failure of the American Dream, as he spends his entire life trying to win back the love of his youth, Daisy Buchanan. He has made his fortune through dubious means, hoping that his wealth and lavish parties will impress her and make her want to be with him again. However, even when he finally does reunite with Daisy, it is clear that the dream he has been chasing is nothing more than an illusion. As Gatsby himself realizes, "I can't …show more content…

He believes that it is nothing more than a false promise that people use to justify their pursuit of wealth and power. In his eyes, the pursuit of the American Dream is a futile endeavor because it is impossible to achieve. Tom would likely point to Gatsby himself as evidence of the fallacy of the American Dream. Despite amassing a great fortune and throwing extravagant parties, Gatsby is never able to win back the love of his life, Daisy. Tom might argue that this is proof that no matter how much wealth or success one attains, it will never truly bring happiness. In addition, Tom might point to the corruption and dishonesty that often accompanies the pursuit of the American Dream. He would argue that people are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve success, even if it means betraying their values or the people around them. Tom would likely use his own affair with Myrtle Wilson as an example of this, as well as Gatsby's involvement with bootlegging and organized crime. Tom's skepticism of the American Dream is summed up in a quote from the book, where he says, "I suppose the latest thing is to sit back and let Mr. Nobody from Nowhere make love to your wife." This quote highlights the idea that anyone, regardless of their background or social status, can attain wealth and success in America. However, it also implies that this pursuit is ultimately meaningless and will not lead to true happiness or fulfillment. Overall, Tom would argue that the American Dream is a lie because it is based on false promises and encourages people to pursue wealth and success at any cost. He believes that true happiness and fulfillment come from other sources, such as love, family, and personal