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What Is The American Dream In The Great Gatsby

875 Words4 Pages

In the book “The Great Gatsby”, by F. Scott Fitzgerald we follow Nick Carraway on his telling of a period in his life were he knew a hopeful dreamer named James Gatsby and his pursuit of his own version of the American dream. According to Azar Nafisi,“The negative side of the American Dream comes when people pursue success at any cost, which in turn destroys the vision and the dream.” and tragically Gatsby within the content of the book was willing to bear these costs. Throughout the entirety of of the book Fitzgerald defines the American dream as the making oneself into someone that can get what they wish and want. When it comes to Gatsby his main obsession is that of an intimate relationship with Daisy, George B. Wilson wants the social …show more content…

Gatsby, for example, even though he has the wealth to attract his loved one his engagement with most around him and the relationships he forms are shallow at best. This is made evident when it is revealed to Nick early on in the book that the parties that Gatsby throws are open to all that comes by but most people do not know or have ever seen Gatsby himself. Or the fact that his affair with Daisy was only feasible because of his wealth. Wilson may have a marginally profitable business but the position he has to deal with as a subordinate citizen to the likes of men such as Tom Buchanan leaves him open to exploitation.This is made evident when he had to back down from Tom after asking about when he was going to sell him his car. Or the fact that he does not say anything to Tom after suspecting him of having an affair with his wife when he tells Nick, “I spoke to her,” he muttered, after a long silence. “I told her she might fool me but she couldn’t fool God. I took her to the window—“ With an effort he got up and walked to the rear window and leaned with his face pressed against it, “—and I said ‘God knows what you’ve been doing, everything you’ve been doing. You may fool me but you can’t fool God!” (8.102). Finally, although Tom may be perceived as dominant to those around him giving him the upper

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