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What Is The Hollowness Of The American Dream In The Great Gatsby

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SleaZzzin’ Dreamin’

American Dream: The ideal that every US citizen should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative. Changing through each period of time, the American dream always obtains the word success. One may argue that the American dream is all about success, money, and prosperity, but is there more to life that could bring one happiness? The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald portrays the American dream by its authenticity, the reality of the dream, and the overpowering demand for success. The fictional character, Jay Gatsby, discovers more than what the eyes see within the American dream. Before meeting Daisy, Gatsby, strived for success by making a name for himself …show more content…

The hollowness of the American dream is shown from another perceptive during the 1920s. Described by the poem, the dream left a battered economy and furious people with “eyes I dare not meet in dreams in death’s dream kingdom. These do not appear: there, the eyes are sunlight on a broken column. There, is a three swinging and voices are in the wind’s singing. More distant and more solemn than a fading star” (Source B). Striking imagery in this poem portrays the American dream as broken and corrupt by shifting the point of view in the direction of an unsuccessful citizen at this time. Furthermore, money can not buy happiness nor freedom. Before money gravitated in America, it primarily shined in the eyes of successors, they want to “let America be America again. Let it be the dream it used to be. Let it be the pioneer on the plain. Seeking a home where he himself is free” (Source C). The author gave way to seeking happiness that was once obtainable within America. Through their eyes they had freedom as their dream which shows money can only physically liberate not free. Overall, money does not ensure true happiness which can shed light on the perceptive others see in their

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