The Corruption of the American Dream Essay example

Submitted By arf227
Words: 1370
Pages: 6
Open Document
The Corruption of the American Dream
We have all dreamt of having money, having the job, and the big house. Basically, we dreamt of the perfect life, the perfect job, and the perfect marriage. Generally this dream is known as the “American Dream”, which is the belief that if one works hard, then that person will succeed by becoming rich. The theme of the “American Dream” has been corrupted and becomes more of materialistic dream and this can be found throughout The Great Gatsby, two of the most prime examples are Jay Gatsby and Myrtle Wilson, but can also be found in some of the other characters in the book. Gatsby’s dream is to get rich, have power, and ultimately win the love of Daisy Buchanan. Myrtle Wilson’s dream is to have money and a higher social status, which she believes she can achieve this by being with Tom Buchanan. But as the people throughout the story try to achieve these things, we see that the corruption of these people’s actions can come from trying to obtain the “American Dream” and it generally fails to make that person happy.
Gatsby has an uncanny devotion for the things and people he desires. Gatsby starts his life as a poor man who feels that he can win his love, Daisy, back if he achieves enough material wealth and status. When he first meets Daisy Buchanan, Gatsby commits “himself to the following of a grail” (149). After five years of separation, he will do just about anything with in his power to win her from Tom for himself. Up to this point in his life everything he has done is directed towards winning Daisy and having her in his life. An example of his devotion to his goals is the mansion he constructs, “a colossal affair by any standard… with a tower on one side, spanking new under thin beard of raw ivy, and a marble swimming pool, and more than forty acres of lawn and garden” (5). Once a “penniless young man without a past” (149), he transforms himself into a self-made millionaire and builds an extravagant mansion without having any history of family wealth. His mansion is strategically placed across the lake from Daisy’s house. From his window, Gatsby can see the blue colored lights of her house. Even though she is married to Tom Buchanan and has a daughter, Gatsby “revalues everything in his house according to the amount of response it draws from her well loved eyes” (91). But in the end, Gatsby’s insurmountable devotion to Daisy won’t be enough to win her over. He dedicates so much of his life to be with her and ultimately it won’t make any difference in the long run because he can never have the same status as Tom. Gatsby also displays the corruption of “American Dream” through his acquisition of wealth. Gatsby’s business dealings are not so clear. He admits to Nick that he is “in the drug store business” (90). The drug store business during prohibition was place to buy alcohol and being in it meant that they were bootleggers. Bootlegging is a highly profitable business and bootleggers were commonly associated with gangsters who commit illegal and cruel deeds. The society Gatsby wants and needs to be a part of is based on money and power. Gatsby finds himself earning his money through unlawful activities, such as the bootlegging and gambling. As he becomes addicted to this new and glamorous life style he sees nothing wrong with these activities because they are all a part of way to obtain his dream.
From a young age Gatsby lies and cheats to be able to reinvent himself, because he is unhappy with his social status. He always wishes he was born rich and in a different family since “his parents were shiftless and unsuccessful farm people” (98), and as Nick explains, “his imagination had never really accepted them as his parents” (98). He really wants to improve his way life and at the age of seventeen he tries to do that by changing his name and leaving. In this he shows he is willing to forget everything and lie about something as essential as who you are to
Show More

Related Documents: The Corruption of the American Dream Essay example

Gatsby American Dream Corruption

perception of the American Dream. Fitzgerald shows that the characters in the book have an illusion of how living the American Dream is supposed to be. This is contradicting because of what they believe is different from their demeanor and decisions throughout the novel. Their choices make them have the misleading impression of the behavior of the American Dream. The American Dream is not an appearance of constructing a life, but about becoming rich. The story emphasizes the corruption of money that…

Words 423 - Pages 2

Corruption Of American Dream In The Great Gatsby

symbols; however the greatest theme is the corruption of the American dream. The American dream is the name given to an idea that you can start from the bottom, and become something great. By having a fancy car, house, and nice things that family is the symbolization of the American dream. Corruption and destructiveness were a product of the American dream. Myrtle, Gatsby, and Daisy have all been corrupted and destroyed by the idea of the American dream.…

Words 87 - Pages 1

Corruption Of The American Dream In The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby and The Corrupted American Dream The novel The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (1920) covers several types of themes. For example a theme in the Great Gatsby is the American Dream. The American Dream is defined as someone, regardless of their race or social class, can achieve a successful life through hard work and determination. However, we see that many characters in the novel do not care about these beliefs. Throughout the book, characters such as Jay Gatsby, Tom Buchanan…

Words 1402 - Pages 6

Theme Of Corruption Of The American Dream In The Great Gatsby

characters Jay Gatsby was an entrepreneur who had a false perception of the American Dream. Gatsby’s corruption of the American Dream made him no longer have a vision of building the life he wanted instead it was just about him getting as rich as he could. Gatsby was killed in his home where he appeared happy on the outside but he was truly unhappy by the choices he had made. Gatsby’s misinterpretation of the American Dream slowly lead to his death. He had all the money he could ever want or need…

Words 377 - Pages 2

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

The Great Gatsby Persuasive Essay

highlights the corruption of the American Dream as the people in the painting care more about the fancy attire that she was wearing, rather than her health or where her house was located. The advertisement glorifies the pearl necklace and fancy dress in order to promote their luxury brand, but fails to recognize that it does not highlight the correct theme in the Great Gatsby. The whole point of the pearl necklaces and the fancy attire in the quote is to highlight that the American Dream is corrupt and…

Words 964 - Pages 4

gastby notes Essay

believes that the American Dream has been twisted and corrupted into an uncontrolled desire for pleasure and money which is still correct about today's obsession with materialistic objects. F. Scott Fitzgerald's perspective is from the 1920's he believes that the American Dream itself is dying. Just as the significance of the green light across the bay dies throughout the novel for Gatsby. Gatsby's American Dream is to have Daisy. Fitzgerald also alludes to the American Dream being corrupted by…

Words 1231 - Pages 5

The Role Of Myrtle In The Great Gatsby

The main belief of the American Dream is the hope for all Americans of a richer, happier and better life, however like in “The Great Gatsby”, this can be corrupted by the desire for wealth. This theme of corruption is exemplified through the characters Myrtle and Nick. When referring to her relationship with her husband, Myrtle claims that “the only crazy [she] was was when I married him. I knew right away I made a mistake. He borrowed somebody's best suit to get married in” (Fitzgerald 35). By regretting…

Words 274 - 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

The Great Gatsby Film Essay

The American Dream’s Power to Alter Reality Corruption affects both the elite class and outcasts through the divisions that separate the two, which are fame and money. The concept that classifies people through their status quo can affect one’s self, mentally and emotionally. This is true for the society in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, set in the 1920s, where there is an immense distinction between the elite and the untouchables. Jay Gatsby, the hero of the story, portrays the role of…

Words 1592 - Pages 7