The "American Dream" is best defined as an ideal lifestyle for anyone. Americans find comfort and warmth in three major prospects of life; money, power, and popularity. These are the three main aspects of the "American Dream". In the novel, The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, is the story about Jay Gatsby's assessment of the American Dream by achieving money, power, and popularity through corrupt and unlawful means.
Although Jay Gatsby went about his success through ways that were both illegal and unconstitutional, he still achieved the kind of money one would need to piece together the "American Dream". Even though Gatsby did manage to accumulate the kind of wealth he has through corrupt ways, it didn't seem to effect him the least bit throughout the novel. He seems to live a completely carefree lifestyle, as if the weight of his actions are some how justified through his success. Throughout the novel Jay is very frivolous with his money. For example, his extravagant parties with the entertainment, food, and booze that he supplied. To be able to afford the kind of luxuries that Jay has, is definitely a sign that he has the wealth of someone who has achieved the "American Dream". And not only did he have the money to show for it, he also had the power.
The kind of power possessed by Jay Gatsby is almost unimaginable for most Americans. He was able to achieve his power through his money and illegal actions. He had the power to anything he wished at any time he wished. He could make himself available or unavailable at anytime. Although it is never directly stated in the novel, it can be ascertained that he was part of a click of people that were involved heavily with the mob. However there is not a single instance during the novel that shows any abuse of Gatsby's illegally acquired power. Gatsby upholds an image of power alone. With his massive mansion among the miniscule houses around his estate is almost a direct symbol of superiority.
Scott Fitzgerald's masterpiece, The Great Gatsby, sums up the American Dream of the 1920's. ... His American Dream was to become Jay Gatsby. ... Gatsby decided to strive harder for his American Dream. ... Gatsby had achieved both wealth and popularity, but he became consumed with the last part of his American Dream, Daisy. Gatsby would never fulfill his American Dream. ...
Did Gatsby really achieve the American Dream or does his small town background keep him from it? Fitzgerald criticizes the American Dream using multiple symbols in his book, The Great Gatsby. ... Because Gatsby started out poor and became rich, we might assume that Gatsby's mansion backs the American Dream. ... Gatsby cannot change where he comes from and therefore cannot fully achieve the American Dream. ... The American Dream is eluding Gatsby. ...
The American dream is a "recurring theme in American literature"(Pearson) and in American society. ... Daisy is stupefying and elusive, a crucial character who represents the American Dream (appositive phrase); when Gatsby unsuccessfully attempts to woo Daisy back, this unveils the false promise of the American Dream. ... Daisy is evidently personified as the American Dream throughout The Great Gatsby. ... Tom and Gatsby can't both have Daisy; only one of them can claim Daisy and truly achieve the American Dream. ... Lastly, the false hope of the American Dream is reflected th...
This dream has become known as the American dream. ... Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby shows the bad side of the American dream. ... From the beginning Nick is interested in Gatsby's wealth and Gatsby attributes to Nick falling into a search for the American Dream. ... To Nick it seems as though Gatsby has already reached the American dream. ... However Gatsby is not finished with his American Dream. ...
The dream is a unique American phenomenon. ... In this environment, Gatsby's destiny with Daisy becomes his individual version of the American Dream. ... Gatsby does not recognize that Daisy's image of the American Dream has been so distorted by the superficiality of her surroundings. ... In The Great Gatsby, Fitzgerald demonstrates that the superficial environment corrupts and tarnishes the American Dream. ... It becomes apparent that The Great Gatsby is truly an indictment of the American Dream. ...
The America Dream holds a greater significance than that of higher wages or greater motorcars. ... The biggest collapse, however, is of the American Dream. ... Gatsby is a prime example of the failure of the American Dream. ... Gatsby seems to think nothing of earning his money by illicit means, though that practice goes directly against the principles of the American Dream. ... The American Dream is just that, a dream. ...
Jay Gatsby: Achiever of the American Dream, or Fool? ... The use of the American Dream in this novel is not a very promising and hopeful source, however. ... Also, the highest point in society that a person can achieve is that of the American Dream. ... The American Dream allows Gatsby to attain such possessions over his attempt at change and these are talked about profusely by Gatsby himself. ... The American Dream in Gatsby's case was a name to call his situation, but it is not something he achieved, because it was not for himself. ...
The Great Gatsby The Corruption Of The American Dream "The Great Gatsby" is a novel written by F. ... The main themes of the novel are materialism, corruption and The American Dream. ... Daisy is Gatsby's dream - like the American Dream. ... This is tragic for Gatsby and his Dream. ... This shows how the American Dream can never truly make one happy. ...
The American dream is a constantly fluctuating set of ideals, reflecting the ideas of an era. ... The American dream is interwoven and deeply embedded in every fabric of American life. The American dream has become the major focal point of many works of American literature. ... Scott Fitzgerald's novel The Great Gatsby the pursuit of the American dream is shown through the lives of the protagonists. ... After Gatsby's death Nick believes that Gatsby gave all he had for a dream that had little promise, noting that "Gatsby's wonder when he first picked out Daisy's dock ...
Fitzgerald uses the character of Jay Gatsby to show the overworking of the American Dream, leading to its failure. Jay Gatsby is the epitome of the American Dream pursuer, yet the ideal American Dream doesn't work in his case because his ambition is too great, thus overworking the Dream. The American Dream requires one to have a goal, yet goals tend to be too ambitious, as is in Gatsby's case, in which he wants to achieve something that is impossible. ... Once again showing that Gatsby loses touch on reality because of this frenzy American Dream. ... (p. 162) At t...
