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Why Is The American Dream Important In The Great Gatsby

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F. Scott Fitzgerald in The Great Gatsby exemplifies the wealth, people, and the American dream in the 1920s. This novel, with its characters, shows how materialistic people were during this era. By introducing Nick Carraway as the narrator, readers see how a normal person, that is not living that opulent, exuberant lifestyle, views people like Gatsby and Tom Buchanan. Throughout the novel we experience the 1920s, with all of its luxury, wealth, passion, and importance of the American dream. In the following paragraphs, we will discuss not only the characters of The Great Gatsby, but the wealth and the American dream that is constantly revealed throughout the novel. F. Scott Fitzgerald had many difficulties in his life including in his career and personal life. "Many of his books failed and weren't getting enough sales. He eventually had to pull them off the shelves" (Epstein). Another challenge was when he had to drop out of Princeton because of his low grades. As well as these difficult failures, Fitz had problems in …show more content…

Throughout the novel, we see how Daisy married Tom and stayed with him because of his wealth and luxurious lifestyle. Myrtle Wilson desired to be with Tom Buchanan not only because of his luxurious lifestyle, but also because of the advantages she would get by being with him. Myrtle's social status would rise and she would earn more privileges by being with Tom Buchanan. Jay Gatsby yearns for Daisy, treating her as if she is a prize to behold. In Chapter 7, Gatsby says, "Her voice is full of money," he said suddenly. That was it. I'd never understood before. It was full of money – that was the inexhaustible charm that rose and fell in it, the jingle of it, the cymbals' song of it… high in a white palace the king's daughter, the golden girl […] " (Fitzgerald 111) Nick Carraway, as he narrates the story, gives a sense of criticism and cynicism about

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321 Words | 2 Pages

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s life was up and down. He did not have money his whole life. When he published his first book, his life almost instantly changed. In the text, Nick, who did not have money, was always around rich people. This is how he portrays what his life is like when he has money.

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1263 Words | 6 Pages

Yet even with being fortunate enough to enjoy the rich lifestyle of obtaining an expensive house, clothing, and servants, the two do not live happily together. Both disclose of their wrongful cheating against each other. Tom cheats on Daisy with Myrtle, and Daisy cheats on Tom with Gatsby. Money in Daisy and Tom's situation symbolizes trouble, that ruins their

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1584 Words | 7 Pages

Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby, exemplifies the culture of excessive materialism and extravagantly lavish lifestyles to convey money's corrupt power over a person. However, Gatsby also depicts the darker side of this culture, emphasizing the emptiness and disillusionment connected to Gatsby's drive to achieve prosperity and status. As Nick becomes more involved in the world of the wealthy, he becomes fascinated by their extravagant lifestyle. Reflected on his observation of Gatsby's party: "Here was music from my neighbor's house through the summer nights. In his blue gardens, men and girls came and went like moths among the whisperings and the champagne and the stars" (39).

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1163 Words | 5 Pages

She just wants to live a happy and comfortable life with the money she gets from Tom, Myrtle might not even love Tom but instead loves his money. Gatsby is also a victim of materialism and what he wants, he describes Daisy in a way that confirms it, “‘Her voice is full of money,’ he said suddenly. That was it. I’d never understood before. It was full of money — that was the inexhaustible charm that rose and fell in it, the jingle of it, the cymbals’ song of it... .

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595 Words | 3 Pages

In the novel "The Great Gatsby," the author, F. Scott Fitzgerald, explores the condition and complexity of the American Dream in the 1920s. Through vivid storytelling and symbolism, Fitzgerald offers insights into the pursuit of wealth, social status, and the disillusionment that accompanied the era. The book delves into the themes of wealth and materialism, presenting characters driven by a relentless desire for success and excess. The extravagance of Gatsby's parties and the opulent lifestyles of the wealthy elite serve as a backdrop to highlight the shallow nature of the American Dream during this time. By depicting characters who are hollow and morally bankrupt despite their material riches, Fitzgerald criticizes the notion that wealth alone guarantees happiness or fulfillment.

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He believed that in order to fulfill his dream and get the girl he had to have wealth because Daisy's image of marriage included a great amount of wealth and statues. Tom’s mistress Myrtle Wilson is another example of how lower class lose their moral value trying to achieve the American dream. Myrtle feels like

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714 Words | 3 Pages

Some wealthy people tend to use their powerful status to take advantage of people and situations. These people believe that they have obtained the American dream when in reality they're hurting themselves and others. In The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald,Jay Gatsby, and Tom Buchanan are two wealthy men that use money and stature to manipulate people and affairs. Money does not buy happiness,but it can bring the pain. My claim is supported by the actions of Jay Gatsby,Tom Buchanan, and Myrtle Wilson.

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1097 Words | 5 Pages

Walt Disney once said, “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” Americans in the roaring 1920s really believed this. They believed that with hard work and determination they could achieve their dreams. The American Dream is defined as when someone starts out low on the social or economic level and works hard to reach fame and wealth. Most people think having an abundance of money, big house, nice car, and a happy family are effects of the American Dream.

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This is how all characters in the novel feel and act. This is what causes Myrtle Wilson’s attraction to Tom. In The Great Gatsby, Tom Buchanan is a very wealthy New Yorker who loves telling people just how wealthy he is. He likes to feel like he is in control. This is why he will not allow his mistress to say his wife’s name.

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What is the American Dream exactly? Why is it that everyone seems to have something to chase after? In the novel “The great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald the ultimate message about the american dream is an illusion. That we only wish of reaching and the only thing we are capable of is running after this idea but never really get to. Fitzgerald does not believe in the american dream because in the book he depicts the american dream as something tragic.

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328 Words | 2 Pages

F. Scott Fitzgerald published the book “The Great Gatsby” during the 1920’s. In the 20’s there was a major transformation in the social and political viewpoints. This era is legendary called the “Roaring Twenties”. Flapper girls, bootleggers, jazz, and booze marked its place in history at this time period.” The 1920s represented an era of change and growth.

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566 Words | 3 Pages

The Great Gatsby was written by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The novel is set in the nineteen twenties, it speaks largely to the upper class of this time and the lavish, complicated lives that they live. The nineteen twenties, also known as the roaring twenties, were a time of massive parties and the upper class. This decade was fueled by easy money and new inventions. The recession after the war was long forgotten as a large percentage of the American population went on a spending spree, causing a boom in the economy.

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Sydney Smith Mr. Gillespie Dual Enrollment British and American Literature 28 April, 2023 The American Dream America has been continuously growing and developing making it a sought after country to live in. People from all over the world have felt this way about America for centuries. This has been proven countless times through texts that have risen to popularity throughout the years such as the Great Gatsby.

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F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby is a reflection of the American Dream. Written in 1925, the book tells the story of a man named Jay Gatsby, whose main driving force in life is the pursuit of a woman called Daisy Buchanan. The narrator is Gatsby’s observant next-door neighbor, Nick Carraway, who offers a fresh, outsider’s perspective on the events; the action takes place in New York during the so-called Roaring Twenties. By 1922, when The Great Gatsby takes place, the American Dream had little to do with Providence divine and a great deal to do with feelings organized around style and personal changed – and above all, with the unexamined self .

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1160 Words | 5 Pages

Introduction F. Scott Fitzgerald, the American novelist, managed to write a novel which has decisively influenced the view of people about the American society in the 1920's. This novel, which was published in 1925, is called The Great Gatsby. Fitzgerald's novel mostly deals with status, power, wealth as the concepts of the American Dream at the beginning of the 20th century. The author provides the reader with a deep insight into the American society as well as the aristocracy and the false beliefs that are built around them. The novel illustrates well how the American Dream control human behavior.

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