How Did The American Dream Influence The Great Gatsby

Words: 648

Pages: 3

Open Document

The ideal of an American Dream for any American is to have an equal opportunity to become successful by working hard. Immigrants from all over the world come to America to be able to have that American Dream. People dream of having a white picket fence, and raising a family. Has the American Dream changed over the years? Was accomplishing the American Dream an actual good thing? In the Great Gatsby, wealth was a gateway to the American Dream, but by Fitzgerald’s influence the American Dream may have lost it’s meaning. Nick Carraway introduces us to Gatsby by saying “ Gatsby turned out alright at the end; it is what preyed on Gatsby, what foul dust floated in the wake of his dreams that temporarily closed out my interests in the abortive sorrows and short winded elations of men.” That dream that Nick describes is the American Dream. Wealth was the American Dream but the foul dust that floated in the midst of the dreams made it impossible to accomplish. In the middle of the book we find out that Gatsby was not always wealthy. Gatsby grew up with a poor family. He never really accepted to be poor, and ran off to be able to find a better life. He found Dan Cody, and started working really hard which led to his wealth. Gatsby literally made a name for himself being of low birth. Tom Buchanan didn’t think he …show more content…
Owl eyes had crashed his car, and still kept driving even though there was only three tires. He was consumed by alcohol, but for many people that had become the American Dream. People wanted enough liquor to crash their cars, and enough money to buy more cars. Fitzgerald suggests that maybe wealth is just not good. People who were wealthy became careless people. Daisy’s most famous line “ I hope she’ll be a fool- that’s the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool.” Daisy suggests that being careless in this world is the only way you can get

The Role Of Happiness In The Great Gatsby

pleasurable or satisfying experience from while carrying out an action. It is a common misconception that money leads to happiness or satisfaction. A popular American fiction topic is the separation between money and happiness, it is nearly impossible to possess both at the same time (Luthbury). In The Great Gatsby one of the main characters, Jay Gatsby thinks that if he becomes wealthy, his wealth will bring him happiness and he will be able to get whatever he wants. Other wealthy characters such as Tom…

Words 1850 - Pages 8

Ap Study, Government Essay

appointment The Great Gatsby Unit The Roaring Twenties brought a time of great carelessness and recklessness to the forefront of American history. While reading The Great Gatsby we will explore the reckless and careless behavior as we examine the “American Dream” during the coming quarter. Were the 20’s the rise or demise of the Dream? Essential Questions: Were the characters successful in pursuing the American Dream? How does the social class they were in influence their success…

Words 713 - Pages 3

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

Examples Of Egalitarianism In The Great Gatsby

The American Dream is just a Dream F. Scott Fitzgerald’s writings are usually centralized around the theme of failing at the American Dream. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the American Dream is defined as “an American social ideal that stresses egalitarianism and especially material prosperity.” Throughout his novels, Fitzgerald repeatedly writes on how the American Dream is corrupted by the obsession of wealth, power, and the romantic conquest of women. Author John Callahan comments…

Words 2530 - Pages 11

Characterization Great Gatsby

In the novel “The Great Gatsby” written by F. Scott Fitzgerald Jay Gatsby lives a lavish, extravagant life hosting parties in his mansion that is located in the West Egg. At these parties just about all of New York is in attendance. “On week-ends his Rolls-Royce became an omnibus, bearing parties to and from the city between nine in the morning and long past midnight, while his station wagon scampered like a brisk yellow bug to meet all trains.” (Fitzgerald, 39) “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald…

Words 1458 - Pages 6

Desire In The Great Gatsby

Gatsby Essay Does the treatment of individual desire in The Great Gatsby and Barrett Browning’s poetry reveal similarities or reinforce the texts’ distinctive qualities? The pursuit of happiness a universal concern that effects people in different ways and the ideologies of ideal love, social ethics and morals are thought to be of relevance to these people that affect their values and the values of society. This is evident in Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s poetry, “Sonnets from the Portuguese” written…

Words 1317 - Pages 6

The Great Gatsby Obstacles

The Oxford Dictionary defines the American dream as, “The ideal that every citizen of the United States should have an equal opportunity to achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative.” Defining the American Dream allows us to recognize how societal forces reshape our communities—stemming from the early days of colonization and the determination of civilians willing to explore the new land that was America. Settlers came seeking religious freedom, economic opportunity…

Words 2419 - Pages 10

American Dream Essay

constantly. This has been known as “The American Dream”, which has also involved several other theories, beliefs and accomplishments throughout the different minds of America. One idea following the American Dream may state that one's children should grow up and receive a good education and career without artificial barriers, while another states the idea that people should not be discriminated according to their class, caste, religion, race, or ethnicity. The American Dream can also help and support one’s…

Words 988 - Pages 4

The american dream fantasy Essay example

Galvez 1 Tiffany Galvez English 3 Ms. Greene May 15, 2015 The American Dream? Simply a Dream? The controversial idea of the American Dream being a reality is arguable; However, in Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby , the fundamental idea that is conveyed throughout the novel is that the American Dream “The idea that any American, with enough resolve and determination, can climb the economic ladder, regardless of where he starts in life ( Michael W. Kraus, Shai Davidai and A. David Nussbaum 1) …

Words 1957 - Pages 8

Gatsby Essay

Amanda Chron Mr. Kanda American Lit. 11/21/10 The Only Exception Have you ever wanted something so badly that you would do almost anything to achieve it? If so, then you probably know the process of trial and error; trying so hard to get something but not always being successful. You also probably realized that you can’t always get what you want; or can you? In the book The Great Gatsby, by Scott Fitzgerald, Jay Gatsby, the main character, is determined to rekindle the feelings between himself…

Words 1426 - Pages 6