Examples Of Individualism In The Great Gatsby

Words: 609

Pages: 3

Open Document

Money and relaxed social values corrupt the American dream of individualism and pursuit of happiness. Gatsby is an honest and hardworking man who allows the destruction of himself and his dream and as a result Daisy through the corruption money and society caused. Tom reveals Gatsby’s secret in blinding rage sating, “ ‘He and this Wolfshiem bought up a lot side-street dug stores…and sold grain alcohol over the counter’…But with every word she was drawing further and further away… only the dead dream fought on as the afternoon slipped away” (pg. 127-128). Daisy’s priority is money and for this reason Gatsby gained grand amounts of wealth to please Daisy. F. Scott Fitzgerald uses the green light as a symbol of Gatsby’s American dream …show more content…
Society’s carelessness and superficiality corrupt Gatsby’s journey towards the American dream. Gatsby experiences external and internal struggles. Gatsby was an honourable man who fought a battle with the kind of human being he truly was and the man he would became in order to fit in to the luxurious lifestyle of the rich and the business deals Gatsby took part in. Gatsby struggles with himself internally and his character as well as externally with what the rich society require of him. Gatsby gave in to society’s expectations and lost all morals for Daisy’s approval and love. Gatsby prefers the illusions of his pretty lifestyle to the harsh reality of the acts Gatsby participates in which allow him such a fancy …show more content…
Gatsby’s corruption of himself led to his death and that of his American dream. F. Scott Fitzgerald depicts the death of a good man’s failure of his American dream and selfish people’s prosperities as society denying poetic justice. In addition to Gatsby, George Wilson is corrupted through the American dream. George is beaten down by society and wealth. George states, “ ‘I’m sick…been sick all day…I’ve been here too long. I want to get

The Three Essay

The American Dream Since the founding of The United States, many have dreamed of coming to this great land to escape tyranny, persecution, and oppression. Over time, this desire has turned into The American Dream. The American Dream is different to everyone, and many authors express this dream through their novels. The Great Gatsby, Death of a Salesman, and The Catcher in the Rye all expose the faults of the stereotypical American Dream that success, material possessions, and unrealistic ideals will…

Words 1531 - Pages 7

Literary Devices In The Great Gatsby

reader to think about how and why a novel was written. For example, an author can include symbolism to convey a deeper message or to represent abstract ideas and concepts to the readers. The Great Gatsby is the epitome of exceptional use of literary devices. The author, F. Scott Fitzgerald, employs several elaborate literary devices in the novel; the most prevalent being symbolism. The significance of the many symbolic elements in The Great Gatsby plays a role in revealing the underlying themes of the…

Words 1414 - Pages 6

The Gg Essay

Discovery, individualism and the pursuit of happiness is what the American Dream is really about. In The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the settings West Egg, East Egg, and the Valley of Ashes are used by Fitzgerald to emphasise the corruption and the consequences of the American Dream upon American society, particularly for those who cannot obtain it, like the character Myrtle Wilson. The settings in the novel also enhance the readers’ appreciation of the significance of the economic and…

Words 927 - Pages 4

The Great Gatsby Essay

The Great Gatsby: Did Money Kill the Great? Many people claim that The Great Gatsby is the quintessential American novel. This is due to the reoccurring theme of the book of the rise and fall of the American dream. The book is very significant because of its relation to the time period in which it was written and the actual events that were taking place in the world in and around the 1920's. This period was called the "Roaring 20's" because of the economy at the time was through…

Words 2054 - Pages 9

The Great Gatsby Analysis Essay

Introduction “The Great Gatsby” is a novel by the American author F. Scott Fitzgerald. First published in 1925, it is set on Long Island's North Shore and in New York City from spring to autumn of 1922. The novel takes place following the First World War. American society enjoyed prosperity during the “roaring” as the economy soared. At the same…

Words 5604 - Pages 23

The American Dream Essay example

act of competition and personal satisfaction. Throughout The Great Gatsby, The Grapes of Wrath, and Death of a Salesman, there is a constant yearning desire to achieve the “American Dream;” whether it be reality or illusion. Fitzgerald, Steinbeck, and Miller, all portray the ideas of the American Dream relating to the time period that they are referring to. The strive to achieve a goal whether it be to be the wealthiest or achieve a great life by hard work seems to be the template…

Words 3103 - Pages 13

Great Gatsby Essay

The Great Gatsby-RRS Title: The Great Gatsby Publication Date: 1925 Author: F. Scott Fitzergerald Nationality: American Author's Birth/Death Date: September 24, 1896, December 21, 1940 Distinguishing Traits of Author: F. Scott Fitzergerald was an American author who wrote novels and short stories whose writings were the epitome of the Jazz Age, a term he invented. His life is parallel to that of Jay Gatsby in the way that both met someone…

Words 4815 - Pages 20

What Is The Context Of The Great Gatsby

Essay – The Great Gatsby context research The Great Gatsby is a novel written by F. Scott Fitzgerald in 1925. It depicts the lavish new lifestyle of the 1920’s. The book itself is about Jay Gatsby, a man who is utterly in love with Daisy Buchanan. His quest to attain her leads him from poverty to wealth, however, Daisy is proven unworthy of his affection as Gatsby is killed because of her actions. The novel depicts the context in which it was written, exploring ideas of disillusionment, the American…

Words 4737 - Pages 19

Death of a Salesman Essay

Western world, (1492) new and unsettled land was yet to be discovered which attracted even more people. However, the dream began to crumble in the 1930's which is known as the Great Depression, which lasted until the early 1940's. This time period shows how far world economy can decline and destroy society's dreams. The Great Depression therefore retrospects the idea of the American Dream. Arthur Miller uses the Depression to show the failure of the American Dream through his character's failure…

Words 1365 - Pages 6