American Dream In The Great Gatsby Essay

Words: 889

Pages: 4

Open Document

The ideal American dream, to many, could typically mean wealth, success, happiness, and a general form of prosperity. This ideal, as explored in The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, can be dissected into so much more. Jay Gatsby, one of the story’s main protagonists, is first introduced through his extravagant parties; He functions as an enigmatic presence until his first speaking role in Chapter 3. These parties, thrown every Saturday night in his giant fortress, exemplify opulence and jubilance through wild jazz music and pops of champagne at every corner. The deeper thematic meaning of these parties, however, identify Fitzgerald’s cynical view of, how he coined the term, the “Jazz Age”. During the Roaring Twenties, shortly after the end of World War I, there was a sudden rise in the stock market which led to the upbringing of new wealth in those who may not have previously been so privileged. …show more content…
This new shock of wealth created a moral confusion, portrayed in the greedy social climbers who attend Gatsby’s parties and, incidentally, most everyone of some type of wealth during this time period. Additionally, the skewed view of the American dream can be paralleled with Gatsby’s infatuation with attaining the ultimately unattainable, Daisy Buchanan. This obsession of Gatsby’s, which remains the sole purpose of his maintaining of these parties in hopes that Daisy would eventually make an appearance, proves to eventually lead to his demise and the fall of this so called “American dream”. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s view of the American Dream as portrayed in The Great Gatsby is cynical, as shown in his exemplification of old wealth and new wealth and the moral corruptness that follows it, as well as Gatsby’s inability to see the truth for what it really is; all the money in the world could not buy Daisy Buchanan’s love

The American Dream In The Great Gatsby Essay

The American Nightmare of Gatsby Sometimes, love is blinding. “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald is about the view of the American Dream which has been transformed from the ideal dream to a materialistic dream and the demise of those who fail in fulfilling false goals. Because of believing wealth and power can purchase happiness, a dreamy Jay Gatsby lacks the foresight to see the worthlessness of his efforts. By the tragic story of Gatsby and his failed attempt to achieve his dream, Gatsby’s…

Words 593 - Pages 3

Broken Dreams and Fallen Themes: the Corruption of the American Dream in the Great Gatsby Essay

Broken Dreams and Fallen Themes In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald employs the use of characters, themes, and symbolism to convey the idea of the American Dream and its corruption through the aspects of wealth, family, and status. In regards to wealth and success, Fitzgerald makes clear the growing corruption of the American Dream by using Gatsby himself as a symbol for the corrupted dream throughout the text. In addition, when portraying the family the characters in Great Gatsby are used to expose…

Words 1460 - Pages 6

Gatsby Practice Essays

text response to The Great Gatsby Notes from Barron's: Great Gatsby (1984) by Anthony S. Abbott, Davidson College Professor of English. 1. Is Gatsby a "hero?" Discuss. Everyone wants to admire someone. Do you admire Gatsby? Is he a hero to you? If so, why? If not, why not? This essay gives you a wonderful opportunity to take sides. From one point of view, Gatsby is a crook, a bootlegger, a vulgar materialist. From another point of view, he is a dreamer, faithful to his dream to the very end. Nick…

Words 2834 - Pages 12

Gatsby American Dream

falling off The Great Gatsby’s American Dream One of the most notable elements in Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby is the conception of the American Dream; a well-known term whose appearance is very present throughout the story. Despite being a non-mentioned term in the novel itself, the author still conveys the idea of the American Dream through the employment of a brilliant sociological approach. Yet, although there is not any consistent or universal definition, the idea of American Dream might have…

Words 1532 - Pages 7

Gatsby American Dream

falling off The Great Gatsby’s American Dream One of the most notable elements in Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby is the conception of the American Dream; a well-known term whose appearance is very present throughout the story. Despite being a non-mentioned term in the novel itself, the author still conveys the idea of the American Dream through the employment of a brilliant sociological approach. Yet, although there is not any consistent or universal definition, the idea of American Dream might have…

Words 1530 - Pages 7

Essay The Great Gatsby

31-October 2014 Modern day Americans are different then past Americans. Attitudes of Americans have changed. The attitudes have changed because the “Dream” is diverse. The Great Gatsby does not adequately reflect the American Dream. Everyone has a dream. In the book The Great Gatsby the American Dream revolves around money. Money is very important on an Americans image at this period of time. One of the main characters was Daisy. She loved her husband Tom, but she also loved Gatsby. There was a big difference…

Words 535 - Pages 3

Gatsby Essay Outline

The Great Gatsby Final Essay There were many things that were attainable in the 1920’s but the American Dream was said to be the easiest.The 1920’s was a time of new and fresh ideas, to woman working,or the black culture booming. According to the propaganda of the 1920’s the American Dream could be obtained easily. The American Dream was attainable if it was worked hard for. Many people of the 1920’s had different versions of the American Dream.…

Words 576 - Pages 3

How Is Tom Buchanan And Jay Gatsby Alike

Jay Gatsby and Tom Buchanan Literary Analysis Essay. Liam Hickernell In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s, “The Great Gatsby,” Jay Gatsby and Tom Buchanan share both similarities and differences, each representing their views on the American Dream. Although Jay Gatsby and Tom Buchanan share similarities, such as their living conditions and social status, their dreams and aspirations differ. Gatsby, with his mysterious past and drive to make money, shows one side of the American Dream, where anyone can make…

Words 963 - Pages 4

The Great Gatsby Persuasive Essay

Student ID #9026396 Class Period 4 Great Gatsby Advertisement Argumentative Essay Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, The Great Gatsby, is an iconic piece of literature that is set in the roaring twenties; a period drowning in flashiness and wealth. About a century later, the book became so popular that a movie rendition was created. Throughout the movie, the extravagance of the time period is present as signs of wealth are seen everywhere. After the release of the movie, companies start to implement parts…

Words 964 - Pages 4

Jay Gatsby American Dream Failure

said, “The American Dream is the charm of anticipated success.” The “American Dream” Tocqueville refers to is the ideal that Americans are able to achieve social and economic prosperity. In the novel, Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, Jay Gatsby is committed to obtaining wealth and prosperity to earn Daisy’s fruitful love. His rags-to-riches success story embodies the American Dream. The obstacles faced throughout his journey reveal that the American Dream is ceaseless, and Jay Gatsby is always…

Words 1449 - Pages 6