How Is The American Dream Corrupt In The Great Gatsby

The concept that the United States of America is the place to start a better life has been around since the first Spanish explorers set foot on the continent of North America… however, the way to achieve this life has changed over each century. The idea that anyone can become successful through hard work known as The American Dream is the most important theme in The Great Gatsby because it breeds corruption, bitterness, and destruction. The American Dream has been corrupted over the years by an appetite for financial gain. People have tried to find ways around working hard for their money so they could “get rich quick,” and this is exactly what the main character in The Great Gatsby does. In order to achieve his version of The American Dream (winning his former lover Daisy back) Gatsby acts criminally in order to make enough money to impress her. Gatsby is revealed as a bootlegger in chapter seven, when Tom Buchanan announces that he spoke with Walter Chase (someone that Gatsby put into jail) and learned all about the crimes he committed and Gatsby says “What about it?” (134) instead of lying. The fact that Gatsby put a man in jail in order …show more content…
He worked hard all of his life as a mechanic and never achieved much, and when his wife Myrtle is killed by Daisy driving Gatsby’s car he is even more bitter towards the people who have achieved their American Dream because they could get away with murder without repercussions (even though he later says that God sees everything and they’ll eventually be held accountable.) They’re able to take shelter in the fact that they’re wealthy and they don’t have to hold themselves to the same standard of the lower-class (which rich and poor people during the 1920’s could relate to.) George was overall mistreated by the rich characters throughout the book, which led to a lot of pent-up bitterness… and his and Gatsby’s