What Are The Similarities Between Passing And The Great Gatsby

The American Dream is a concept that has been seen in numerous different books, movies, and speeches for decades. Two novels that have done it exceptionally well are Passing by Nella Larsen and The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Both novels follow characters on a quest to achieve the American Dream, only to find that it is not all it's cracked up to be. There are many similarities between Passing and The Great Gatsby. The concept of the American Dream, how social class and wealth play a significant role in both novels, the illusion versus reality, and how it is portrayed in both books.
The American Dream has been a symbol of hope and opportunity for many people worldwide. It is often characterized as the primary concept of the United

However, the concept of the American Dream has been disputed over the years, and its meaning has been unwound. The idea of the American Dream has been shaped by historical and cultural factors such as immigration, race, and the changing economic struggles. Race, Gender, and lineage affect how the American Dream can get played out. Typically, women and people of color struggle to chase this Dream more than others. We can see in the Great Gatsby and Passing that one of the primary focuses is genuinely wealth and status. In Passing, we can see that when Claire passes as white, she has given up all her morals, friends, and life just to benefit from wealth and class. "There had been, even in those days, nothing sacrificial in Clare Kendry's idea of life, no allegiance beyond her immediate desire" (1.1.10). We can see a very similar scenario in The Great Gatsby. In the book, we can see this with multiple characters like James Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan. James Gatsby grows up being very poor and longing for money and wealth. James Gatsby was willing to

Often, people of wealth or high social status have given up a considerable part of their lives to achieve their goals. Even though these people may give off the illusion of being always happy or always being correct, in often cases, it could not be further from the truth. In Passing with Clare, we can see this numerous times as she gives off this almost perfect look as if nothing is wrong in her life. "She remembered Clare's saying, as they sped northward: "You know, I feel exactly as I used to on the Sunday we went to the Christmas-tree celebration. I knew there was to be a surprise for me and couldn't quite guess what it was to be. I am so excited. You can't possibly imagine! It's marvelous to be really on the way! I can hardly believe it!" (234). Claire, even though living this seamlessly perfect life, still longs for that genuine human interaction and style of living. On the other hand, we can also see this in The Great Gatsby with James Gatsby. Gatsby's whole life has been spent trying to create this illusion of a supremely confident wealthy, and whole man. However, this couldn't be further from the truth. "It was a strange coincidence," I said. "But it wasn't a coincidence at all." "Why not?" "Gatsby bought that house so Daisy would be just across the bay" (4.147-151). Everything that James Gatsby is doing, the parties, the house, the cars, and the suites, are just an