The Deterioration of the American Dream
The American Dream is characterized by the social ideal that every individual must have an equal opportunity to achieve their personal definition of success, prosperity, economic independence, freedom, fame, etc. People accomplish the American Dream through diligent work and determination regardless of how low on the economic or social level an individual is. The American Dream is defined by achieving success, independence, and being able to reinvent one’s self through hard work, however, the tragic ending of the Great Gatsby influences the reader to pause and contemplate about the possibilities and the limitations of the American Dream. The author portrayed the collapse of the American Dream by implying …show more content…
West Egg exemplified the “new money” and the “new rich,” while East Egg represented the “old money” and the “established wealth.” East Egg was the established part of the country, much older, more populated, and had the greater wealth, however, West Egg was the geographically smaller and newer part of the country, was less populated, and was geographically different. By highlighting the differences between the two different settings, Fitzgerald connected the Eastern part of Long Island with the moral decay and social skepticism and the Western part with the more traditional social ideals of the American Dream. The newly rich are those who built up their wealth through bootlegging alcohol during the prohibition time period – typically portrayed as socially awkward and flamboyant, hence the author condemns the excessive materialism that is caused by pursuing the American Dream. On the contrary, the old rich are those who had established wealth and appeared to have values and ideals, however, Fitzgerald depicted that they are not preferable in their conduct or manners either. For instance, Daisy, killed Myrtle, kept silent about it, and left Long Island without leaving a forwarding …show more content…
The novel exemplifies the moral and cultural decline and failure of the American Dream characterized by the excessive indulgence in pleasure and luxury. Fitzgerald refuted the ideal concept of the American Dream through his portrayal of Gatsby, who despite his hard work, failed to reclaim his love for Daisy who came from an “old” wealthy family. Eventually, regardless of Gatsby’s wealth and luxurious life, he and his dream of obtaining the love of Daisy ultimately died in the pool among the leaves at the end of the novel. Furthermore, through the valley of ashes, the eye of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg, and the contrasting images of Gatsby’s funeral and parties, Fitzgerald depicted the moral decline of the American Dream. Fitzgerald’s novel eventually became a social commentary on the collapse and failure of the American Dream during the
The American Dream is characterized by the social ideal that every individual must have an equal opportunity to achieve their personal definition of success, prosperity, economic independence, freedom, fame, etc. People accomplish the American Dream through diligent work and determination regardless of how low on the economic or social level an individual is. The American Dream is defined by achieving success, independence, and being able to reinvent one’s self through hard work, however, the tragic ending of the Great Gatsby influences the reader to pause and contemplate about the possibilities and the limitations of the American Dream. The author portrayed the collapse of the American Dream by implying …show more content…
West Egg exemplified the “new money” and the “new rich,” while East Egg represented the “old money” and the “established wealth.” East Egg was the established part of the country, much older, more populated, and had the greater wealth, however, West Egg was the geographically smaller and newer part of the country, was less populated, and was geographically different. By highlighting the differences between the two different settings, Fitzgerald connected the Eastern part of Long Island with the moral decay and social skepticism and the Western part with the more traditional social ideals of the American Dream. The newly rich are those who built up their wealth through bootlegging alcohol during the prohibition time period – typically portrayed as socially awkward and flamboyant, hence the author condemns the excessive materialism that is caused by pursuing the American Dream. On the contrary, the old rich are those who had established wealth and appeared to have values and ideals, however, Fitzgerald depicted that they are not preferable in their conduct or manners either. For instance, Daisy, killed Myrtle, kept silent about it, and left Long Island without leaving a forwarding …show more content…
The novel exemplifies the moral and cultural decline and failure of the American Dream characterized by the excessive indulgence in pleasure and luxury. Fitzgerald refuted the ideal concept of the American Dream through his portrayal of Gatsby, who despite his hard work, failed to reclaim his love for Daisy who came from an “old” wealthy family. Eventually, regardless of Gatsby’s wealth and luxurious life, he and his dream of obtaining the love of Daisy ultimately died in the pool among the leaves at the end of the novel. Furthermore, through the valley of ashes, the eye of Doctor T.J. Eckleburg, and the contrasting images of Gatsby’s funeral and parties, Fitzgerald depicted the moral decline of the American Dream. Fitzgerald’s novel eventually became a social commentary on the collapse and failure of the American Dream during the