Values In The Great Gatsby

The American Dream was the philosophy that brought people to America and to start a new life in foreign land. Due to this Dream, it was believed that America was a land of opportunity, wealth, and prosperity. The Dream consists of four values; group spirit, moral and ethical values, handwork and opportunity for everyone. Throughout many years, these four values have been corrupted leading to the death of the original American Dream. F. Scott Fitzgerald recognizes the death of the original American Dream in his novel The Great Gatsby. He uses the characters Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan to illustrate how the original values of handwork and group spirit have been replaced with wealth, power, social class and individualism. They no longer respect the …show more content…
He believes the only way Daisy will love him is if he is wealthy with luxuries. In order to become rich, Gatsby engages in an illegal business. Through the quote “He and Wolfsheim bought and sold grain alcohol over the counter.” (Fitzgerald), it is understood that he engages in bootlegging. This is the opposite idea of the original American Dream , which states that only the hardworking are rewarded. In the Vanity Fair article “Re-thinking The American Dream”, it states “The American Dream is within reach for all who aspire to it and are willing to put in the hours.” (Kamp). Gatsby never “puts in the hours” to gain majority of his wealth. His illegal actions are worth more money than his hardwork. He quickly squires the riches, home, and cars to lavish people in comforts and luxuries but still feels Daisy would complete the equation. Daisy and her associated green light can be seen as the “light at the end of the tunnel” for Gatsby. His method of earning his wealth goes against the original value of handwork of the American Dream. By engaging in illegal activity, Gatsby loses his ethical values of right and wrong. This shows that people are relents to