In the 1920’s, post-war era, America went through a period of extreme social and economic change that shaped culture and the lives of people in all social classes. The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald, takes place in a time of economic prosperity which fueled mass-consumerism and led to the belief that anyone could step-out of their socio-economic limitations and amass great wealth. This provided a platform for which the idea of the American Dream could thrive upon. Although the American Dream suggests equal opportunities for all, it is income inequalities that affect the outcome of all of the characters’ lives in this novel. Those born into American aristocracy are granted privilege and luxury leaving them to live a life of materialism
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The character of Daisy Buchanan promotes the opposite of the American Dream, to maintain position in life rather than working for the possibility of fulfillment. Her inability to pursue any goals she may have in life only further illustrates the hollowness of the upper-class American society. In rejecting the opportunity to live a better life with Gatsby and allowing him to take the blame for a crime she committed, Daisy causes his demise. As a result of her carelessness and lack of introspection, she subjects Gatsby to become the victim of her and Tom’s shallow games. She initiates destruction and yet, because of her wealth and reputation, remains unscathed. Daisy lacks conviction with a desire for money taking priority over all else. She is a woman that has been corrupted by greed and the 20th century expectations of her role in society. Tom Buchanan is extremely prosperous and yet, he has never had to work hard for his wealth and possessions. He feels entitled to a life that he does not deserve which quickly speaks to the falsities of the American Dream. Tom, “among various physical accomplishments, had been one of the most …show more content…
However, due to limitations already imposed on those who are impoverished, they are condemned to lives of unfulfilled dreams. This is demonstrated by characters George and Myrtle Wilson who each try to pursue unattainable dreams which ultimately leads to their respective deaths. The destruction of these characters sets a precedent for those of lower-class that it is too perilous to strive for more than you are given. This ultimately alludes to the death of the American Dream. George Wilson is a broken man who aspires to live a better life where he can financially provide for himself and his wife. He is resigned to the fact that he must work to survive. George, “was one of these worn-out men: when he wasn't working he sat on a chair in the doorway and stared at the people and the cars that passed along the road. When anyone spoke to him he invariably laughed in an agreeable, colorless way. He was his wife's man and not his own” (136). George tries to attain his success through honest, hard work, like the American dream promotes, but he is never able to produce any semblance of wealth. He has dreams of leaving New York to pursue a better life but is disempowered by his lack of money. He is incapable of achieving prosperity and thus, remains imprisoned in his stagnant life. George is explicitly tied to the bleak, miserable, and hopeless valley of ashes which represents the hard-working lower
The character of Daisy Buchanan promotes the opposite of the American Dream, to maintain position in life rather than working for the possibility of fulfillment. Her inability to pursue any goals she may have in life only further illustrates the hollowness of the upper-class American society. In rejecting the opportunity to live a better life with Gatsby and allowing him to take the blame for a crime she committed, Daisy causes his demise. As a result of her carelessness and lack of introspection, she subjects Gatsby to become the victim of her and Tom’s shallow games. She initiates destruction and yet, because of her wealth and reputation, remains unscathed. Daisy lacks conviction with a desire for money taking priority over all else. She is a woman that has been corrupted by greed and the 20th century expectations of her role in society. Tom Buchanan is extremely prosperous and yet, he has never had to work hard for his wealth and possessions. He feels entitled to a life that he does not deserve which quickly speaks to the falsities of the American Dream. Tom, “among various physical accomplishments, had been one of the most …show more content…
However, due to limitations already imposed on those who are impoverished, they are condemned to lives of unfulfilled dreams. This is demonstrated by characters George and Myrtle Wilson who each try to pursue unattainable dreams which ultimately leads to their respective deaths. The destruction of these characters sets a precedent for those of lower-class that it is too perilous to strive for more than you are given. This ultimately alludes to the death of the American Dream. George Wilson is a broken man who aspires to live a better life where he can financially provide for himself and his wife. He is resigned to the fact that he must work to survive. George, “was one of these worn-out men: when he wasn't working he sat on a chair in the doorway and stared at the people and the cars that passed along the road. When anyone spoke to him he invariably laughed in an agreeable, colorless way. He was his wife's man and not his own” (136). George tries to attain his success through honest, hard work, like the American dream promotes, but he is never able to produce any semblance of wealth. He has dreams of leaving New York to pursue a better life but is disempowered by his lack of money. He is incapable of achieving prosperity and thus, remains imprisoned in his stagnant life. George is explicitly tied to the bleak, miserable, and hopeless valley of ashes which represents the hard-working lower