The American Dream The idea of the American Dream has been existent since American literature’s onset. There are many different perceptions of the American Dream. Some people say that it is a search for wealth, class and real estate, while others believe that their dream is to be able to provide for and support their family in times of need. However, the idea of the American Dream has progressed since the 1920’s. The Great Gatsby portrays the materialistic aspects of the American Dream. The book depicts the 1920’s, as an era of greed, corruption and negligence. The Great Gatsby portrays the American Dream as a journey to achieve wealth and prosperity. The American Dream, in the book, is basically an illusion forcing several people to travel
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The author believes that the American Dream is untrue, he believes the dream is only a fantasy and is not something that can successfully be achieved. He believes the American Dream causes people to forget the foundation of morals their lives are based on, hence making them corrupt and inconsiderate. The author explains that this “dream” is achieved only by criminals who cheat the system, not by people who are honest and trustworthy. “Meyer Wolfsheim? No, he’s a gambler. He’s the man who fixed the World Series. They can’t get him old sport. He’s a smart man” (Fitzgerald 78). The author helps readers realize that the American Dream is not lived by persistent people like Gatsby but by criminals similar to Meyer who cheat and steal from others. Throughout the book, Jay Gatsby chases after the love of his life, Daisy, who is money-oriented and lacks moral values. Gatsby’s dream is to settle with Daisy and have a family with her, so he can be with her until the day he dies. Daisy lives right across the bay from Gatsby’s house. Gatsby looks across to Daisy’s every single night and sees a green light. The author uses this light as a symbol of hope to indicate the possibility that one day, Gatsby and Daisy might get married. Gatsby is very optimistic regarding his pursuit after Daisy, he has worked all his life in the hopes to satisfy her needs, and he finally feels competent enough to marry her. “Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgiastic future that year by year recedes before us” (119). Gatsby was filthy rich and had a gigantic mansion, and he believed Daisy would finally accept him as her beloved husband. Gatsby spent many years to try and get Daisy to marry him, and he finally feels that he is on the verge of
The author believes that the American Dream is untrue, he believes the dream is only a fantasy and is not something that can successfully be achieved. He believes the American Dream causes people to forget the foundation of morals their lives are based on, hence making them corrupt and inconsiderate. The author explains that this “dream” is achieved only by criminals who cheat the system, not by people who are honest and trustworthy. “Meyer Wolfsheim? No, he’s a gambler. He’s the man who fixed the World Series. They can’t get him old sport. He’s a smart man” (Fitzgerald 78). The author helps readers realize that the American Dream is not lived by persistent people like Gatsby but by criminals similar to Meyer who cheat and steal from others. Throughout the book, Jay Gatsby chases after the love of his life, Daisy, who is money-oriented and lacks moral values. Gatsby’s dream is to settle with Daisy and have a family with her, so he can be with her until the day he dies. Daisy lives right across the bay from Gatsby’s house. Gatsby looks across to Daisy’s every single night and sees a green light. The author uses this light as a symbol of hope to indicate the possibility that one day, Gatsby and Daisy might get married. Gatsby is very optimistic regarding his pursuit after Daisy, he has worked all his life in the hopes to satisfy her needs, and he finally feels competent enough to marry her. “Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgiastic future that year by year recedes before us” (119). Gatsby was filthy rich and had a gigantic mansion, and he believed Daisy would finally accept him as her beloved husband. Gatsby spent many years to try and get Daisy to marry him, and he finally feels that he is on the verge of