The Destruction Of The American Dream

Words: 543
Pages: 3
Open Document
The American dream remains one of the greatest ideas in the US, and although there are many ways to define it, the American dream is essentially the idea that anyone can achieve his/her personal goals. Although many controversies circulate the American dream and question whether or not it lives on in today’s society, one true answer endures: the American dream can only be dead or alive within [and depending on] the individual. As a result, the American dream proves to be endangered by a distinct attitude within American dream seekers. A lack of hope threatens the American dream because it lessens the seeker’s grit, thereby hindering his/her ability to face and overcome adversity. Grit helps American dream seekers face and conquer varying
Show More

Related Documents: The Destruction Of The American Dream

Explain The Destruction Of The American Dream In The Great Gatsby

The American dream has a different meaning to different people. Some think “the dream” is achieving financial success, power, and status regardless of where they came neither of these. “The first thing to be said about Fitzgerald’s novel is that these enactments of the American dream are expressed in the love affairs and worldly ambitions of Jay Gatsby […] the hero is, like Fitzgerald, "a man divided," yet he seeks to integrate love of a woman with accomplishment in the world” (Callahan, 384). Gatsby…

Words 746 - Pages 3

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

Seeking wealth and freedom can lead to achieving the American Dream but result in destruction. The American Dream is the belief that any human being, no matter their class, gender, nationality, race, can achieve being rich and successful in America due to great motivation and work. To most, the American Dream means having a big house, a nice car, expensive clothing, and other aspects associated to wealth and prosperity. Although, The Great Gatsby by Scott Fitzgerald represents a wide spectrum of…

Words 1620 - Pages 7

great gatsby Essay

variety of relationships that show the pursuit of something other than the American dream. The original American dream is that no matter what lifestyle you came from, you can always become successful in life through your hard work. The new American dream portrayed in the story is that wealth can get you anything over true personality anf beliefs. Fitzgerald shows the destruction of character that is caused by the new dream of wealth over everything, especially by the main character Jay Gatsby. Throughout…

Words 457 - Pages 2

Examples Of Corruption In The Great Gatsby

The Corruption of the American Dream The American Dream is the notion that people, regardless of their race, gender, or social status, can achieve success and prosperity through hard work and determination. Many people would describe their American Dream by wanting to own a nice car, a big house, nice clothes, and a happy family. In his novel The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald specifically touches upon the underlying theme of disillusionment in the American Dream. The novel conveys the corruption…

Words 698 - Pages 3

English Coursework2014888 Essay

In American Pastoral and The Great Gatsby both authors reveal the American Dream to be unachievable and ultimately destructive. The American Dream: the widely held ideal by which equality, opportunity and upward social mobility are achievable, and available to every American through hard work; a hope deeply embedded in the routes of an emerging American society. Both authors display to the reader the continuous quest these characters pursue in order to attempt to achieve the dream promised to them…

Words 1680 - Pages 7

Jay Gatsby Flaws

to many people the "American Dream" was to earn a lot of money, own a large house, own the newest vehicles and gadgets, and live in a safe environment. Gatsby, a classic well-known character in American literature, strives to obtain this Dream by using extreme measures so he could gain the love of a woman named Daisy. In The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald uses details about Gatsby's personality to describe what the average American might do to achieve his/her "American Dream". Jay Gatsby is a…

Words 845 - Pages 4

The American Dream In The Great Gatsby

The American Dream in The Great Gatsby In the book by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the Great Gatsby, there is a central theme that the American dream has been destroyed by an emphasis on materialism. This is shown through the themes of fabrication of self, attitudes toward women, and the destruction of the American dream. The characters that symbolize this central theme are Gatsby and Daisy. These two characters show the downfall of the American Dream. There are also symbols to support the downfall;…

Words 1326 - Pages 6

AP ENGLISH ESSAY

The 'Great' Pursuit of Happiness Part of the American dream is to live long and die young. The idea of the American dream represents the qualities of wealth, ambition, conquering one's goals and significantly the pursuit of happiness. This dream starts low on the economic or social level but with hard work it is possible to obtain prosperity. Having money, a car, a big house, nice clothes and a happy family symbolizes the American dream. The belief of the American dream and what represents can be applied in the novel …

Words 1145 - Pages 5

Essay About The American Dream

Many young adults and teens share a similar dream in life; They wish to go through college, become successful through a dream job, have a beautiful spouse and children, and own a nice home. But is this dream truly ensured for all individuals? Is hard work and dedication the only key to achieving this objective? This common dream is part of the American Dream. The American Dream may provide the motivation for success, but it disillusions humanity. It spreads misconceptions about equal opportunity…

Words 545 - Pages 3

Symbolism In The Great Gatsby

F. Scott Fitzgerald defines the American dream in his best known novel The Great Gatsby. The book is set in 1922, New York City, where millions had the same dream. Fitzgerald use many symbols and literary devices to convey his message about the American dream and demise. One way that the author is depicting differences in society is by showing West Egg and East Egg. West Egg is where the people with new money live or have become rich recently through entrepreneurship or criminal activities after…

Words 396 - Pages 2