The Great Gatsby is one of the few books from when the idea of the American dream was at its peak that tells the true story of how the dream is really nothing but a nightmare. So, what exactly is the American dream? It is the idea that no matter who one is, where one came from or who one’s parents are one can become successful with hard work. F. Scott Fitzgerald the author of The Great Gatsby knew the truth. He knew that this dream was just a hoax that caused many to struggle their entire lives believing that they too could become rich and live full lives. Immigrants also fell under the false pretenses of this dream by coming to America thinking that they could leave behind their troubles and start anew. When really they were just getting themselves
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She represents what everyone wants, wealth and happiness. But Daisy and the dream are both phonies. Just like how Daisy appears reachable to Jay- the dream appears reachable to the working class. Most likely someone will not be killed by a angry husband while trying to achieve this but Gatsby was. Wilson killing Gatsby represents how those who try to reach the dream will be beaten down until they have nothing left, even if they believe they are close to their goals. Gatsby is not the only character in The Great Gatsby who fell for the dream. Myrtle Wilson, Tom’s mistress believed that if she made Tom fall for her like an amateur acrobat on a tightrope she would have it made. She would have all the pearls, dresses and houses she could want. Tom, like Daisy also represents the American dream. Myrtle keeps trying to do anything she can to make him hers, like calling during dinner to make sure Daisy knows, and spending the day with Tom at their lover’s nest in Manhattan. Just like Gatsby she believes that what she is doing is working, and that Tom will leave Daisy for her. “And what's more, I love Daisy too. Once in a while I go off on a spree and make a fool of myself, but I always come back, and in my heart I love her all the time” ( Fitzgerald, 251). Myrtle as an analogy once again shows that the dream is only a fabrication of the hopeful because no matter what she does Tom will never leave
She represents what everyone wants, wealth and happiness. But Daisy and the dream are both phonies. Just like how Daisy appears reachable to Jay- the dream appears reachable to the working class. Most likely someone will not be killed by a angry husband while trying to achieve this but Gatsby was. Wilson killing Gatsby represents how those who try to reach the dream will be beaten down until they have nothing left, even if they believe they are close to their goals. Gatsby is not the only character in The Great Gatsby who fell for the dream. Myrtle Wilson, Tom’s mistress believed that if she made Tom fall for her like an amateur acrobat on a tightrope she would have it made. She would have all the pearls, dresses and houses she could want. Tom, like Daisy also represents the American dream. Myrtle keeps trying to do anything she can to make him hers, like calling during dinner to make sure Daisy knows, and spending the day with Tom at their lover’s nest in Manhattan. Just like Gatsby she believes that what she is doing is working, and that Tom will leave Daisy for her. “And what's more, I love Daisy too. Once in a while I go off on a spree and make a fool of myself, but I always come back, and in my heart I love her all the time” ( Fitzgerald, 251). Myrtle as an analogy once again shows that the dream is only a fabrication of the hopeful because no matter what she does Tom will never leave