In the novel The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald, the American Dream influences direction and understanding. Nick Carraway, who throws himself into the midst a rich universe laden with eccentric, but hollow people, narrates the novel. Many characters of this universe have hardly thought of the American dream--possession has since birth surrounded them. However, to others, the universe seems new and they have not yet cultivated the norms of the culture that differs from their lesser origins and kin. This greater society represents the apex of the American dream, but many seem merely incompatible with it. F. Scott Fitzgerald’s tone of discord and disharmony implies the discordance of some with the society at the pinnacle of the American dream.
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This discord becomes abundantly apparent in the tone of the novel, especially in instances where class interaction occurs. Interestingly, this does not contradict the American dream’s premise of universal achievability in any way. In The Epic of America, James Truslow defined the American dream as “...a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position.” This principally occurs with Gatsby and Myrtle, both of whom originate in a low position of society; the wealthy recognize them for what they represent. They attempt to act as though they belong in this society, but the constituent members peer through this facade to see them for who they truly embody: lower class people. This does not suggest that lower class people cannot rise through the system, however, it does imply they must have the “innate capability,” and Fitzgerald argues some inherently do not. The importance of this view comes from its ability to refine on the American dream; it emphasizes the lack of assurance of the dream. The American dream says that anyone, regardless of background, can achieve success, but that does ensure that anyone--as in every single individual--can achieve
This discord becomes abundantly apparent in the tone of the novel, especially in instances where class interaction occurs. Interestingly, this does not contradict the American dream’s premise of universal achievability in any way. In The Epic of America, James Truslow defined the American dream as “...a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position.” This principally occurs with Gatsby and Myrtle, both of whom originate in a low position of society; the wealthy recognize them for what they represent. They attempt to act as though they belong in this society, but the constituent members peer through this facade to see them for who they truly embody: lower class people. This does not suggest that lower class people cannot rise through the system, however, it does imply they must have the “innate capability,” and Fitzgerald argues some inherently do not. The importance of this view comes from its ability to refine on the American dream; it emphasizes the lack of assurance of the dream. The American dream says that anyone, regardless of background, can achieve success, but that does ensure that anyone--as in every single individual--can achieve