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The American Dream - As Seen in 'The Great Gatsby'
The American Dream; the belief “that every man can rise to success no matter what his beginnings.” The dream is seem as a kind of idealism throughout The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald. Although this manifest of society existed, the corruption and shattering of this dream comes through the transition of a belief in self-reliance, hard work, and noble goals into the pursuit of power and pleasure, a rudimentary and empty form of success. In The Great Gatsby, a reader can experience several characters’ views of this “dream” and the transition of how money can overtake harmony. Jay Gatsby himself is seen as the epitome of ‘The American Dream,’ yet struggling for what he truly desires, something that he cannot buy. The symbols in this dramatic representation of life in the rich New York society of the 1920’s create footsteps to the corruption and end of the theme, as well as provide vivid detailing to viewpoints of the characters. The corruption of the ‘American Dream’ is displayed throughout The Great Gatsby through side characters, the famous Gatsby himself, and dominant symbols.
Whether the characters’ views of the rich society in which this story takes place are toward the pros or deciphering the flaws, the corruption is recognized. Nick Carraway, the narrator, holds two contradicting views of this scene. He admires the dream, the external perfection of which the people live, yet Nick realizes the vulgar materialism and corrupt practices in which people must go to extents to earn the wealth to satisfy their pleasures. On the other hand there is Daisy. Daisy Buchanan is Nick’s cousin, one who thrives on lavish parties, and rich society. She uses her money to protect her from reality and to bully others. Her husband, Tom Buchanan, is described as a man ‘very strong and very rich.’ In Tom’s life, his money seems to satisfy him not. He turns from his imaginary love with Daisy to an affair with the wife of a garage owner. Thus money seems to not satisfy everyone, but make those it affects, turn to obscure natures and those who witness the effects, look twice.
Ah, the Great Gatsby, the character of this novel who is himself, the ‘main man’ and relevance of the dream all wish to obtain. Yet, this crook of West Egg forces himself to believe that he must have an enormous mansion in order to feel confident enough to win the woman he loves, who happens to be Daisy Buchanan. The need for money and lavish material items is not necessarily for his sake. What he wants is his dream, the dream embodied in Daisy. This goal seems to embark as the story plays on, yet situations become more and more complicated. Gatsby’s secrets become a great mystery and people assume roles of modern day Sherlock’s searching for flaws and blackmail. The secrets of Gatsby’s money are luring, though only few know of his crimes, including bootlegging. It [next page]