The Great Gatsby and the American Dream F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby is considered by many to be THE novel about the American Dream. On a less grand scale, the book is certainly a representative of 1920s society, a time when the values and morals of the eighteenth and nineteenth century were declining in favor of the materialism and narcissistic attitudes following the First World War. ... The American Dream was up for sale and the new mantra of the masses was to get rich quick. ... The protagonist Gatsby is one of the prime examples of the "new" American Dream. ...

• Word Count: 1325
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: High School

Throughout the novel, moral decadence, frequent exploitation, and the unobtainable American Dream represent significant themes in understanding various interpretations of The Great Gatsby's storyline. ... Myrtle's actions depict her deep materialism. ... Also in the novel, the unobtainable American Dream is sought by many, yet rarely obtained. ... According to Nicholas Tredell, Gatsby believes the American Dream is realized by obtaining wealth and the perfect (111-112). ... In conclusion, moral decadence, frequent exploitation, and the unobtainable American Dream represent signi...

• Word Count: 1491
• Approx Pages: 6

Since Fitzgerald lived through the corrupt era of the 1920's he is able to lend authenticity in his portrayal of the materialism and deceit among the characters of his novel. ... Daisy's middle name, Fay, can mean "Fairy- or "Faith- and also "Fey- which means fated to die soon, appearing as if under a spell, by the American Heritage Dictionary (Stark 61). ... In the American College Dictionary, Myrtle is the generic name of an evergreen that, "is used as an emblem of love and was anciently held sacred by Venus;- also the "crape myrtle- a plant grown in the south, reminds someone of...

• Word Count: 1494
• Approx Pages: 6
• Grade Level: High School