The 1920s was a time in American History where the white-collar men and the socially elite lived a life laced with luxury. Much like the Gilded Age, however, it was not as it seemed from the surface. Writer F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote many books delving into the 1920s and how the people of this time were careless in their actions. His books today serve as more then just fictional stories read for pleasure, but rather a more in-depth view of American history and the ordinary people living during this time. .
In F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel the Great Gatsby, morality played a huge factor in how the reader views the people of the 1920s. The 1920s was a period in our history, much like many other eras, where people were attempting the reach the "American Dream" at any cost. In Fitzgerald's novel the most common dream was wealth, power, and social status. This dream was evident in every character in some way. It was each of the character's dreams that allowed them to push aside other important issues such as morality or other people's consideration in their pursuit of personal happiness. The characters and the people of the 1920s were willing to do anything they needed, whether it was consciously or subconsciously, to achieve their dream, however it was especially notable in the character of Jay Gatsby. In a way his dream symbolizes a larger dream common of the "20's where every one has the opportunity to get what they want.
Gatsby's dream was not that of money and power actually. His dream was that of love. He chose to pursue wealth and stature in hopes of achieving what he wanted, Daisy, but inevitably he lost sight of his original intent and found comfort in his wealth. In the end it wouldn't have mattered either way. Gatsby's dream of having Daisy love him as he loved her would never happen no matter if he had all the money, power and wealth in the world. Strong social class lines were drawn during this era and more often then not people of lower status believed that their ills and perils would be relived if they had the opportunity to reach higher social status.
