Nick Carraway, in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, idolizes Jay Gatsby and blames what preyed on Gatsby for his downfall. Through his portrayal of Jay Gatsby, Fitzgerald illustrates the fiction of the American Dream and the disillusionment present amid the economic prosperity of the 1920s. Gatsby’s aspiration to climb the social ladder reflects the idea of the American Dream. Just as each individual is created equal, each individual has the opportunity to achieve success. One’s familial background should not serve as a significant factor in determining their future. Born as James Gatz to a low income family in North Dakota, he dreams of living the life of a rich American. Gatsby resents his poor background to the point that “his imagination had never really accepted them as his parents” (98). Unsatisfied with his life as a janitor and student at St. Olaf College, he boldly drops out after two weeks to pursue a different journey (99). At seventeen, James Gatz changes his name to Jay Gatsby, an individual who “sprang
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Divisions in social class, emphasis on material goods, and immoral acts center on Gatsby’s life. In the end, no one attends Gatsby’s funeral except for Nick, Gatsby’s father, and the owl-eyed man. All of the “friends” who went to Gatsby’s party only wanted to take advantage of Gatsby’s hospitality. None of them care about him past the fact that he was willing to give them food, drinks, and an area to party. Fitzgerald’s portrayal of Gatsby and the problems that affect Gatsby extended to his American society. The massive economic prosperity of the 1920s led to an increase in materialism as households bought appliances and cars. Corruption in the financial sector had existed for a long time due to entrepreneurs like Rockefeller and their practices to stifle competition. Gatsby’s fixation on Daisy also reflects a need and struggle to find a purpose in
Divisions in social class, emphasis on material goods, and immoral acts center on Gatsby’s life. In the end, no one attends Gatsby’s funeral except for Nick, Gatsby’s father, and the owl-eyed man. All of the “friends” who went to Gatsby’s party only wanted to take advantage of Gatsby’s hospitality. None of them care about him past the fact that he was willing to give them food, drinks, and an area to party. Fitzgerald’s portrayal of Gatsby and the problems that affect Gatsby extended to his American society. The massive economic prosperity of the 1920s led to an increase in materialism as households bought appliances and cars. Corruption in the financial sector had existed for a long time due to entrepreneurs like Rockefeller and their practices to stifle competition. Gatsby’s fixation on Daisy also reflects a need and struggle to find a purpose in