American Dream In The Great Gatsby

The theme of the American dream plays a major role in The Great Gatsby. In the novel, the American dream ends in tragedy and death and old money prevails without guilt. Old money is represented by Tom and Daisy, who both survive and move away after Gatsby is killed. Myrtle and Wilson,who were poor, die at the end. Jay Gatsby’s misguided illusion of the American dream and Daisy led to his death. Gatsby, who represented new money is killed by Wilson. However, Tom and Daisy don’t love each other and are forced to live unhappy and shallow lives. America is seen as the land of opportunities across the world. Gatsby is an example that the American dream is portrayed as attainable by everyone. When Gatsby and Nick are crossing the Queensboro Bridge, …show more content…
However, Gatsby dies at the end. A symbol of the American dream in the novel is the green light at the end of the dock. Gatsby physically reached toward the green light. “But I didn't call to him for he gave a sudden intimation that he was content to be alone--he stretched out his arms toward the dark water in a curious way, and far as I was from him I could have sworn he was trembling. Involuntarily I glanced seaward--and distinguished nothing except a single green light, minute and far away, that might have been the end of a dock. When I looked once more for Gatsby he had vanished, and I knew I was alone again in the unique darkness” (Fitzgerald 20). The color green is in stoplights means to go. The green light represented Gatsby’s hope of being with Daisy. The color green could also symbolize the envy Gatsby felt towards Tom for having Daisy. When Gatsby began spending more time with Daisy, his longing for Daisy was represented through the green light again. “Daisy put her arm through his abruptly, but then he seemed absorbed in what he had …show more content…
They live in the Valley of Ashes. The Valley of Ashes could represent the people who fail to achieve the American dream. Myrtle was an ambitious woman who resented her husband for not being able to provide for her. “ ‘The only crazy I was was when I married him. I knew right away I made a mistake. He borrowed somebody’s best suit to get married in, and never even told me about it, and the man came after it one day when he was out.’ She looked around to see who was listening. “ ‘Oh it is that your suit?’ I said. ‘This is the first I ever heard about it.’ But I gave it to him and then I lay down and cried to the beat of the band all afternoon (Fitzgerald 35). Wilson was described as “blond, spiritless man, anaemic, and faintly handsome” (Fitzgerald 25). Wilson killing Gatsby is the first time the lower class does something against the upper class. Myrtle seeked solace in Tom even though he treated he physically abused her. Tom and Daisy, old money, led to the deaths of George and Myrtle. Daisy,who came from old money, killed Myrtle, who was trying to leave her social class. Myrtle and Wilson’s deaths could symbolize the death of their American dream that was destroyed by old