The Great Gatsby Rhetorical Analysis

TRYING TO REACH THE UNREACHABLE

‘The Great Gatsby’ by Fitzgerald focuses on many issues of the America of the 1920’s. However, ‘American Dream’ which is the primary objective of the protagonist-Jay Gatsby-, might be the most important issue the novel tries to address. The American Dream is the belief that anyone, regardless of where they were born or what class they were born into, can attain their own version of success in a society where upward mobility is possible for everyone. The American Dream is achieved through sacrifice, risk-taking and hard-work, not by chance.(investopedia,2018) When considered from this point of view, American Dream can led people to work and try hard to attain their goals. Notwithstanding,

. American Dream actually puts importance on self-improvement but it becomes ironic in Gatsby because his character does not improve as he gets richer. When Gatsby was a young man, we understand that he did not ignore the importance of ‘character’ and to improve it. He gave it importance to reach some of his goals. This quoted passage from his diary he kept as a young man who focused on self-improvement and the importance of ‘good character’ can be an example: “Gatsby’s day began at an early 6:00 for exercise, study work, sports,elocution and poise as well as general resolves such as saving $ 3.000 per week.”(Fitzgerald, F. S. (1995). The great Gatsby) However, he turns out to be a corrupted figure morally as he reaches his

In the 1920’s, people were vulgar and they did not value the morality. Their ultimate goal was to reach money, they became greedy and run after of it because they supposed that the happiness would be waiting for them when they reached money. However, as running after of money, there was one thing they forgot:’the money does not result in happiness’. For instance, Gatsby uses money to reach happiness with Daisy. The extent of the moral decay in the 1920’s is represented in the Doctor T.J. Eckleburg’s eyes which can symbolize the eyes of the God. The faded paint of his eyes can show us the disappointment of the God who see that people are moving away from